Smollett Shuffles Attorneys, Hires Crisis Management Firm As Scandal Deepens
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Update2: Smollett’s management team has reportedly retained the services of Anne Kavanaugh, whose Chicago firm MediaPros24/7provides several media services including crisis management.
Smollett’s management team has retained Anne Kavanagh.
Her local firm offers crisis management along with several other services. #JussieSmollett @cbschicago
— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 17, 2019
He is also reportedly no longer being represented by high-profile criminal defense attorney Michael Monico after an alleged disagreement about Smollett’s Saturday statement (h/t Nick Monroe).
Monico told Fox 32 Chicago‘s Rafer Weigel that he “was but is no longer representing” Smollett, who is now represented by Chicago attorneys Victor Henderson and Todd Pugh.
Monico is no longer representing #JussieSmollett. Per @RoeConn “A source with direct knowledge says there was a disagreement about the decision to release yesterday’s statement. He is now represented by Chicago attorneys Victor Henderson and Todd Pugh”
— Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 17, 2019
While we are not in a position to confirm, deny or comment on the validity of what's been unofficially released, there are some developments in this investigation and detectives have some follow-ups to complete which include speaking to the individual who reported the incident. pic.twitter.com/b9GgXbSUt9
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 17, 2019
Update: According to CBS Chicago, the Nigerian brothers who were arrested and then released, “Abel” and “Ola,” told detectives that they did a practice run a few days before the “attack.”
Sources said one of the brothers held the rope and poured bleach while the other wore a plain red hat and yelled slurs at Smollett.
The sources say the red hat was bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29. The brothers told detectives the three men rehearsed the attack days prior to it happening. –CBS Chicago
Jussie Smollett update: Friends of Jussie, Abimbola 'Abel' and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo, are cooperating with investigators and @cbschicago says they reportedly told detectives that they did a practice run a few days before. They are claiming this was premeditated and rehearsed.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) February 17, 2019
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After Chicago police arrested, interviewed, and then released two Nigerian brothers whose information “shifted the trajectory of the investigation,” Empire star Jussie Smollett is doubling down on his claim that he was attacked nearly three weeks ago at 2 a.m. in an upscale Chicago neighborhood.
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