A statement from a Foxx aide in February said she recused herself out of an “abundance of caution” since she communicated with a relative of Smollett’s in the early phases of the investigation. She declined to provide details at the time, but communications later released to the Tribune showed Foxx had asked police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to turn over the investigation to the FBI after she was approached by Tina Tchen, former chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama.