Jussie Smollett update: Chicago police release 400 pages of case files in 'Empire' actor's investigation
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Police Department released more than 400 pages of official documents from "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's case on Thursday.
The documents include case reports, arrest files and supplementary files. The only new information released in Thursday documents are in the final pages, indicating that Chicago police knew weeks ahead of time that there was a deal in the works between Smollett and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office led by Kim Foxx, who later recused herself from the case.
The electronic files can be found here: Smollett Electronic Case Files
When the charges were dropped March 26, Chicago police and Mayor Rahm Emanuel were publicly shocked, stunned and outraged. The newly released documents reveal that nearly a full month before charges were dropped on February 28, the assistant state's attorney on the case told Chicago police detectives that she felt the case would be settled with Smollett paying the city of Chicago $10,000 in restitution and doing community service, which is exactly what happened.
RELATED: Jussie Smollett case: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on 'Empire' actor
Even after that police continued to pursue evidence in the case up to the day the charges were dropped in March. What is not known is whether the detectives who were told that a deal was in the works to cut Jussie free reported that up the chain of command, and whether it ever made it to Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Mayor Emanuel.
Police also have 69 hours of video in the case that could be released next week. According to officials, the final release will be pertinent video files that require a heavy amount of digital redaction that includes blurring of faces of individuals not involved in the investigation and license plates of unrelated vehicles.
Last week, a Cook County judge ordered police and prosecutors to unseal the documents in the case.
RELATED: Judge rules to unseal records in 'Empire' actor's case
The records were sealed in March shortly after charges against Smollett were abruptly dropped by prosecutors. Attorneys representing the media, including ABC7, challenged the sealing of the records.
The "Empire" actor faced several charges for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself in January.
READ: Judge's ruling to unseal documents
The TV actor claimed he was the victim of a vicious hate crime in the Streeterville neighborhood on January 29. He said two men physically attacked him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs, threw a chemical liquid on him and looped a rope around his neck.
Two days after the alleged attack, Chicago police released surveillance images of two people they said they considered persons of interest in the attack.
WATCH: Jussie Smollett gives emotional interview on 'Good Morning America'
But the investigation turned on Smollett. He was accused of allegedly orchestrating the attack with the Osundairo brothers, who he knew. One brother was an extra on "Empire" and the other was Smollett's personal trainer.
Prosecutors said Smollett paid the brothers to pull off the staged attack.
RELATED: City sues Jussie Smollett for cost of investigating alleged staged attack
Smollett had also reported a threatening letter sent to him on the "Empire" set containing a white powder, a week before the alleged attack. The letter is currently in the FBI crime lab for analysis, sources said, and experts believe Smollett could face federal charges for allegedly sending the letter.
All charges against Smollett were dropped in late February in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.
Smollett has maintained his innocence. The City of Chicago is suing the actor for the costs of the investigation and damage to the city's reputation.
The Osundairo brothers have since filed a lawsuit in their defense claiming Smollett hired them to stage an attack on the actor and were back in court Thursday.
The Osundairo brothers are suing Smollett's legal team for defamation.
Attorneys for the Osundairo brothers are asking that their lawsuit be served to the defendants by U.S. Marshals, claiming Smollett's lawyers have failed to respond to notices of the lawsuit.
Previous coverage:
Judge rules to unseal records in 'Empire' actor's case
Judge asked to recuse himself will not; other judge will rule on special prosecutor
Judge asked to recuse himself from petition to appoint special prosecutor in 'Empire' actor's case
Jussie Smollett: 'Empire' actor's contract extended, no plans for character to return
Jussie Smollett News: Osundairo brothers file defamation lawsuit against 'Empire' actor's attorneys
Kim Foxx receives death threats after Jussie Smollett charges dropped
Kim Foxx texts show she thought number of Jussie Smollett charges 'excessive'
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asks for review of how Jussie Smollett case was handled
Jussie Smollett update: City sues 'Empire' actor for cost of investigating alleged staged attack
Jussie Smollett attorney responds to Chicago's civil suit threat
Chicago to file civil suit against 'Empire' actor for not paying $130K cost of police investigation
Jussie Smollett case leads to protests for, against Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Jussie Smollett update: What's inside the CPD investigative file?
RELATED: Mayor Emanuel calls decision to drop charges against Smollett 'whitewash of justice'
RELATED: Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett
RELATED: Osundairo brother at center of Jussie Smollett case compete in Chicago boxing match
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: 'Pain and anger' around 'Empire' in recent weeks, Lee Daniels says
RELATED: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to disorderly conduct charges
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Texts shed light on why State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself
RELATED: Jussie Smollett appears in court for hearing; Cameras allowed for Thursday hearing
RELATED: Jussie Smollett update: Brothers 'taken advantage of' by Smollett, attorney says
RELATED: Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 felony counts by grand jury
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's check to brothers obtained by ABC News
RELATED: Jussie Smollett's character to be removed from 'Empire', producers say
RELATED: What's next for Jussie Smollett? Possible big police bill
RELATED: Jussie Smollett alleged hoax may cast doubt on real hate crimes, advocates fear
RELATED: Jussie Smollett out on bond after being accused of staging attack
RELATED: Cook Co. State's Attorney Kim Foxx recuses herself from Jussie Smollett investigation
RELATED: Activist calls for Smollett's arrest, believes actor lied about attack
RELATED: Brothers tell police that Jussie Smollett paid them to stage attack, official says
RELATED: Sources: Police investigating whether Smollett staged attack with help of others
RELATED: Timeline of key moments in alleged attack on Jussie Smollett
RELATED: Jussie Smollett breaks silence on Chicago attack
RELATED: Photos show potential persons of interest in 'Empire' actor attack, police say
RELATED: 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett attacked in Chicago in possible hate crime, police say
