Tom Gianni

Jussie Smollett was disappointed with Fox’s reaction to the "racist and homophobic" letter that appeared at Chicago's "Empire" studio addressed to him -- which he actually sent himself -- so, he staged an attack, prosecutors said at a news conference after the actor's bail hearing.

According to Chicago police, Smollett tried to gain attention by sending the false letter, but when that didn’t work Smollett upped the ante, and paid two brothers $3,500 to stage the attack.

Smollett texted Abimbola Osundairo, one of two men involved in the hoax, "Might need your help on the low. You around to meet up to talk face-to-face?"

They later met up and Smollett drove Osundairo in his car. During the ride, Smollett talked about his "displeasure" over the handling of the letter and wanted to "stage an attack," prosecutors said.

About that letter: Seven days before the alleged attack, the letter was sent to a Chicago studio, where "Empire" is filmed. The letter contained written threats, cutout letters and a powdery substance that turned out to be ibuprofen. In cutout letters, it said, "Smollett, jussie, you will die" and "MAGA" was written as the return address, prosecutors said.

The FBI is conducting forensic analysis of the letter.