On January 21, 2019 Jussie Smollett, who is a starring actor on the TV series Empire, reported that two men attacked him. The two attackers, Abindola Osundario and Olabinjo Osundario, were accused of abusing Smollett with racist and homophobic motives.

Recently, Chicago police have found the entire story to be made up by Smollett. Smollett had been believed to pay the Osundario brothers to stage an attack on Smollett.

“Chicago police said Ola and Abel Osundario told them while they were being interrogated that Smollett had paid them to fake the alleged attack.” a CBS News reporter said.

Smollett’s motive behind the staged attack to see an increase in pay and attention from the public. Smollett is expected to go to court on March 14, 2019 for orchestrating the attack.

He paid $3,500 to one of the brothers, and police later found the check. The two brothers have been cooperative with police and currently have no criminal charges pressed against them. They have told the press that they regret their actions and understand how others are reacting to their situation.

“My clients have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation,” Gloria Schmidt, the attorney representing the Osundario brothers stated. “They understand how it has impacted people across the nation.”