Jussie Smollett Chicago attack: On 1 year anniversary, his lawyers looking for dirt on Eddie Johnson

ByMichelle Gallardo WLS logo

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Jussie Smollett claimed he was attacked in Chicago 1 year ago

On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed he was beaten in a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Jussie Smollett claimed he was beaten in a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood one year ago Wednesday.

Smollett's report sent Chicago police into overdrive to find his alleged attackers. Then, on Feb. 13, 2019, the men, identified as the Osundairo brothers, were detained and questioned by police. A day later, Smollett spoke to ABC's Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.

"What people need to hear is the truth. It's just the truth," he said.

But the case exploded when Chicago police charged the "Empire" actor, saying Smollett staged the whole thing.

"Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police last month that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. There have been dozens of twists and turns since then. Here are some key moments from the start of this story.

The truth proved elusive. The Osundairo brothers were released. On Feb. 19 Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case. By Feb. 21, Smollett had turned himself in, arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report.

"Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," said then-CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson at the time of the charges.

He was charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. The actor continued to claim his story was true, and on March 26 but the charges were dropped by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in return for the forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.

A special prosecutor is looking into why the Cook County State's Attorney made that decision.

WATCH: Video shows Jussie Smollett with rope around his neck

Chicago police have released nearly 70 hours of video in the Jussie Smollett case.

But the City of Chicago was not done yet. On April 11 they filed a lawsuit to recoup the $130,000 the police department said it spent investigating his claims. Then, on Aug. 23, Dan Webb was appointed special prosecutor to re-investigate the case.

The issue of the charges being dropped has plagued Foxx as she runs for re-election as Cook County State's Attorney.

"I acknowledge that in our transparency to the public we fell short," she said.

Smollett filed his own lawsuit against the city, alleging the city and Chicago police ignored key evidence that proved his claim of an attack, and accusing Johnson of maliciously going after him without probable cause.

Wednesday, it became public that as part of that countersuit Smollett's attorneys are looking for documents related to the Johnson scandal.

"They're going to see what dirt they can bring in on the former superintendent with one goal in mind," said former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Cramer. "If you can embarrass the city or try to embarrass the city, maybe they cut a better deal."

Webb has not commented on his re-investigation of the case since his appointment. We do know, however, that he is seeking Smollett's location data, messages and pictures from the last year. A Cook County Judge ordered Google to turn that information over to him earlier this month.

Previous coverage:

Google ordered to turn over a year of Jussie Smollett emails, data by judge

Jussie Smollett files counterclaim against Chicago saying prosecution was 'malicious'

Jussie Smollett case: Judge denies motion to dismiss Chicago lawsuit against 'Empire' actor

Judge in Smollett case rules to keep Dan Webb as special prosecutor after concerns of possible conflict of interest

Jussie Smollett case: Documents show special prosecutor Dan Webb made donation to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx

Jussie Smollett case: PR firm says 'every iota' of 'Empire' actor's claim true; police differ

Dan Webb appointed special prosecutor in 'Empire' actor's case

Jussie Smollett case: Hearing held on Chicago's lawsuit against 'Empire' actor

'Empire' filming in Chicago near Jussie Smollett alleged attack site

Jussie Smollett: Judge dismisses motions by 'Empire' actor's attorneys

Jussie Smollett: Attorneys decline special prosecutor role in actor's case, report says