Report: Jussie Smollett Allegedly Knew 'Attacker,' Visited Chicago Bathhouse
A new report from Page Six claims that embattled "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett knew one of the men he initially accused of attacking him in a hate crime last year and that they were "more than just friends."
A source talked with the newspaper about the alleged relationship between Smollett, 37, and Ambimbola "Abel" Osundairo, who the actor accused of assaulting him.
"They used to party together and he had a sexual relationship with [Abel]. They went to this affluent Chicago bathhouse multiple times and they had to show ID," an anonymous source told Page Six. "It's known as a bathhouse where a lot of affluent black gay men hang out. There should be a record [of their visits]."
They added the bathhouse records may be subpoenaed in Smollett's upcoming trial on charges of disorderly conduct.
Abel Osundairo and his brother Ola Osundairo have both denied that they're gay and sued Smollett's lawyers last year for defamation for suggesting there was a sexual relationship between the actor and one of the brothers during an interview on "Good Morning America," Page Six reports. According to the suit, the brothers and their family, who are Nigerian, are at risk due to the country's anti-gay laws, which punishes homosexuality with a prison sentence up to 14 years and death by stoning if the person is married.
"We have sat back and watched lie after lie being fabricated about us in the media only so one big lie can continue to have life. These lies are destroying our character and our reputation in our personal and professional lives," their attorney, Gloria Schmidt, read in a statement on their behalf at the time.
But a judge dismissed most of their suit last month and Smollett still alleges the brothers helped him stage the racial and homophobic attack. In March last year, the attorney for two brothers said the men regret their involvement in the incident.
Smollett, who recently appeared on social media to cover a Stevie Wonder song amid the coronavirus pandemic, pleaded not guilty to six new charges of disorderly conduct in Chicago earlier this year. The charges are related to an investigation brought on by special prosecutor Dan Webb in connection with the actor's January 2019 attack that Smollett allegedly staged with the two brothers.
Click here to read Page Six's full report.