Jussie Smollett is "angered and devastated" over claims he paid two men to help him stage his brutal attack.
Last month (Jan19), the Empire star alleged he was the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in Chicago, telling police that two men tied a rope noose around his neck and poured a bleach-like liquid over him.
Brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo were detained on Thursday (14Feb19) and described as "potential suspects", however they were released without charge the following day.
Now, Chicago Police Department officials have revealed that information uncovered during questioning of the brothers has "shifted the trajectory of the investigation", and police are keen to speak once again to the 36-year-old actor and singer.
But in a new statement through his lawyers on Saturday (16Feb19), Jussie claimed he had been victimised by police.
“As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with," reads the statement from the star's attorneys.
"He has now been further victimised by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying," they added.
Jussie's lawyers also dismissed reports that one of the suspects was the actor's personal trainer. "It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity," they continued.
Rumours circulated earlier in the week (ends17Feb19) that claimed the actor orchestrated his own attack in response to allegedly being written off Lee Daniels' musical drama, Empire.
However, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment, who produce the show, denied the claims.
