-Hate hoax update-

Chicago police are eager to speak with Jussie Smollett and the police are no longer commenting on whether Smollett is still considered a “victim” in the case.

“We have been in touch with Smollett’s attorneys. We contacted his attorneys last night after interrogation for a meeting. We made our intentions clear.” Police spox Anthony Gugliemi told ABC News.

“Anthony Gugliemi [Chicago police spox] would not comment on whether Smollett is still being considered a “victim” in the investigation,” ABC 7 Chicago reported.

TRENDING: Unhinged Quebec Woman Pascale Ferrier Identified as Suspect in Case of Ricin Letter Sent to Trump White House

#JussieSmollett UPDATE: ABC News has confirmed #Chicago police are "eager to speak to Jussie Smollett again urgently.” Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi would not comment on whether Smollett is still being considered a "victim" in the investigation. @ABC7Chicago — Mark Rivera ABC7 (@MarkRiveraABC7) February 16, 2019

Chicago Police sources are telling Fox 32 News that the Nigerian brothers told detectives that Jussie Smollett paid them to orchestrate the attack.

#Breaking: 2 #CPD sources tell @fox32news the brothers arrested & released in #JussieSmollett case told detectives they were paid by the #Empire actor to orchestrate the attack. Detectives also have a receipt for the rope found on #Smollett neck showing the brothers bought it. — Rafer Weigel (@RaferWeigel) February 17, 2019

Via CBS Chicago:

Sources say at least one of the brothers bought the rope used in the incident at Smollett’s request. The sources also say the “Empire” actor paid for the rope, which was purchased at the Crafty Beaver Hardware Store the weekend of Jan. 25. The brothers were paid $3,500 before leaving for Nigeria and were promised an additional $500 upon their return. The sources say plain red hats worn by the brothers were bought at an Uptown beauty supply store and that the attack was supposed to happen before Jan. 29.

Until Saturday evening, the Chicago police department made it very clear that Jussie Smollett was still considered a “victim” in the case.

That the Chicago police spokesman is no longer commenting on whether Mr. Smollett is still considered a victim is very telling.

-REWIND-

Fox 32 reporter Rafer Weigel said Saturday afternoon that Chicago police sources confirmed detectives were able to show that the Nigerian brothers who were “persons of interest” and questioned by police, bought the rope found around Jussie Smollett’s neck at Ace hardware.

Smollett told police the attackers were white and hurled homophobic and racial slurs at him while they beat him, poured bleach on him then put a noose around his neck.

Strangely, Mr. Smollett still had the rope around his neck when the police arrived to his apartment to take a report of the attack.

According to Rafer Weigel, the Nigerian brothers agreed to cooperate with police after the police threatened to charge them with battery.

The Smollett hoax took an interesting turn Friday night after Chicago Police released the two Nigerian brotherswho were held for 48 hours and questioned as “persons of interest.”

It was reported Friday that Jussie Smollett hired high-powered criminal defense attorney Michael Monico. Mr. Monico also represents Michael Cohen.

According to reports, detectives are also analyzing a bottle of bleach seized from Jussie Smollett’s apartment.