Identity and Arrest of the Jussie Smollett Attacker
Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo were identified as the attackers in the January 2019 incident involving actor Jussie Smollett. The brothers carried out the assault after Smollett allegedly hired them to stage a fake hate crime. The attack took place in Chicago early on January 29, 2019, and involved physical violence, racial slurs, and a chemical substance. Chicago Police arrested the Osundairo brothers on February 13, 2019, after surveillance footage and witness statements linked them to the crime scene. The brothers later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery charges in connection with the physical attack on Smollett.
Jussie Smollett was arrested on February 20, 2019, and charged with one count of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Prosecutors alleged Smollett orchestrated the attack to gain publicity and leverage in contract negotiations. The case drew intense media coverage and became a major topic in discussions about hate crimes and celebrity legal proceedings. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office initially dropped all 16 felony charges against Smollett in March 2019 in exchange for forfeiture of his $10,000 bail bond. The decision to drop charges was later reviewed by a special prosecutor appointed by the court.
Legal Proceedings, Conviction, and Sentencing
Special Prosecutor Investigation and Re-Charges
Special Prosecutor Dan Webb was appointed to review the dismissal of charges against Smollett. In February 2020, Webb's office filed 17 new felony counts of disorderly conduct against Smollett for allegedly lying to police investigators. The superseding indictment alleged Smollett staged the attack and directed the Osundairo brothers to carry it out. The trial began in November 2021, and Smollett maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. On December 9, 2021, a jury convicted Smollett on five of the 17 felony counts of filing false police reports.
Sentencing and Financial Penalties
On March 10, 2022, Judge James Linn sentenced Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail for the five felony convictions. The judge ordered Smollett to pay $120,106 in restitution to the City of Chicago for overtime costs incurred during the investigation. Smollett was also sentenced to three years of felony probation and required to surrender his passport. The judge cited Smollett's lack of remorse and the disruption caused to the criminal justice system as aggravating factors. Smollett was released from jail on March 1, 2022, after serving approximately six days of his sentence.
Post-Conviction Legal Status
Smollett's legal team filed appeals challenging the conviction and sentence. The Illinois Appellate Court upheld the conviction in 2023, rejecting arguments about prosecutorial misconduct and evidentiary rulings. The Illinois Supreme Court declined to hear a further appeal in 2024, leaving the conviction intact. Smollett continues to fulfill the terms of his probation and has not been charged with additional crimes related to the case. The Osundairo brothers have not faced further legal action related to the incident.
Financial Impact and Civil Litigation
The City of Chicago filed a civil lawsuit against Smollett to recover the costs of the investigation, which exceeded $130,000 in overtime expenses. A Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the city in 2023, ordering Smollett to pay the full amount of investigative costs. The civil judgment remains enforceable, and Smol