Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi on Wednesday took to Twitter to update the public about the investigation into "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's claims that he was attacked last week. It appears to be a hoax, orchestrated by Smollett himself.
Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury. pic.twitter.com/FhDcbBKsuU
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 20, 2019
Guglielmi said the Chicago Police Department believes they'll get a chance to ask Smollett the questions they have.
""It doesn't matter what the investigation shows; if you have information that's helpful to law enforcement, it behooves you to contact authorities and share that information. We have been very diplomatic and have been working with him and his attorneys. We got information, and that what we want [sic] to run by him. If the opportunity is not taken [to come in], we're going to go with other methods to create a culture of accountability," Guglielmi said.
Rumors have swirled about police seeking subpoenas for Smollett's cell phone and bank records, although Guglielmi couldn't confirm exactly what was taking place. He did, however, tell the press "it is not uncommon for any detective or law enforcement to subpoena records."
What's interesting is the two brothers who "attacked" Smollett knew him. ABC7 in Chicago talked with a security guard who purchased ski masks prior to the alleged attack.
Just talked to north side store security guard Montago Silas who says the siblings in Jussie Smollett case purchased these ski masks hours before alleged attack. @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/ZW6eT9H4PW
— Eric Horng (@EricHorngABC7) February 20, 2019
The brothers were initially considered persons of interest but are now no longer considered to be suspects in the case.