Jussie Smollett Thanked His Friends And Family After All Charges Dropped In Alleged Attack Hoax

Shortly after all criminal charges were dropped against him, Jussie Smollett thanked his family and supporters – and expressed his wish to get right back to work again.

“I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of Chicago and all over the country, in the world, who have prayed for me and supported me and who have shown me so much love,” the “Empire” actor said.

“No one will ever know how much that has meant to me and I will forever be grateful. I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one.

“I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of. This is been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life. I am a man of faith and have knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family, our lives or the movement through a fire like this.

“Now I would like nothing more than to just get back to work and move on with my life,” he said, adding, “But make no mistake, I will always continue to fight for justice and equality for marginalized people everywhere.

“Thank you for the support, faith and thank you to god. Bless you all.”

Jussie Smollett’s attorney told reporters after all charges were dropped against the actor that police should turn their attention on the two bothers he maintains attacked him.

“The Osundairo brothers said more than once that the $3,500 check they received was for exactly what Jussie said. It was for nutrition and training. They were his trainers,” Partricia Brown Holmes said.

Police had accused Smollett of paying the two Nigerian bodybuilders, Olabinjo and Abimbola, to carry out the attack to raise his profile and salary.

“The two men who attacked him have indicated that they attacked him, so we already know who attacked him,” Brown Holmes said.

She said police should investigate the pair, but added, “We don’t want to try them in the press any more than [Smollett] wanted to be tried in the press.”

Brown Holmes also said Smollett agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond voluntarily to move on with his life.

She said the practice was a common one, adding that she didn’t know why police and prosecutors charged the “Empire” star.

“I have nothing to say to police except to investigate and don’t try their cases in the press,” she said. “Don’t jump ahead and utilize the press and convict people before they’re tried in a court of law.”

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