The ongoing drama of Jussie Smollett, the embattled Empire actor accused of faking a hate crime in early 2019, has taken another strange turn. A new report alleges that Smollett knew one of his attackers from a Chicago bathhouse.
Smollett claims that in January 2019, two men attacked him wearing ski masks and “MAGA” hats, while shouting homophobic slurs. The two men allegedly beat the actor and doused him in bleach and tied a noose around his neck. Two weeks after the attack, police arrested Abel & Ola Osundario, Nigerian-born brothers as possible suspects in the case. The two men provided evidence that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack. Police then charged Smollett with falsifying a police report. The actor continues to maintain his innocence in the matter, and that he was the victim of a genuine hate crime.
Now The New York Post reports that an unnamed source familiar with the case has pointed to a Chicago bathhouse as a possible break in the case. According to the source, Abel Osundario allegedly met Smollett at the bathhouse, and the two began a sexual relationship. “They used to party together and he had a sexual relationship with [Abel]. They went to this affluent Chicago bathhouse multiple times and they had to show ID. It’s known as a bathhouse where a lot of affluent black gay men hang out. There should be a record [of their visits],” the source claims.
Related: Jussie Smollett hit with six new charges
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If true, the bathhouse connection could provide an important break in the case, as police could subpoena records to underline the connection between Abel Osundario and Smollett, as well as possible witnesses in the case. Lawyers for Smollett had previously implied that their client had a sexual relationship with at least one of the Osundario brothers; an allegation which the pair deny. The brothers filed a defamation suit against Smollett’s lawyers for implying they are queer. A judge dismissed the case last month.
Jussie Smollett admits to having paid Abel & Ola Osundario $3,500 for personal training services and performance-enhancing drugs. The brothers, however, insist that the payment was to help stage the hate crime.
At present, the city of Chicago has sued Smollett for making false statements and for overtime costs for the original hate crime investigation. Smollett continues to maintain his innocence.
Kangol2
First, Queerty, it’s Osundairo, not Osundario. Second, Jussie, you and your team are really going out on a limb here. If there are records of you and Abel Osundairo hooking up at Steamworks or some other bathhouse, you better hope a judge orders the records are turned over. The City of Chicago and CPD are gunning for you at this point. OTOH, I could see them hooking up at one of the bathhouses but Jussie still staging this. Whatever did happen, it’s a complete mess.
frapachino
Whatever did happen? Most of us know what happened, it’s not nuclear science!
James Hart
It’s obvious that Jesse Smollet is an emotionally disturbed young man. I don’t know if he should go to prison, however, I believe that he does need psychiatric assistance.
RyanMBecker
James Hart,
I’m not sure why concocting a crime for self-enrichment is considered a mental illness. The motive is very rational, and the amount of planning shows intent. He played victim to get publicity and sympathy in hopes of getting a raise. It’s a crime that not only used up public resources, but also raised tensions and fear among Chicagoans. I’m sure many gay and black residents had a heightened fear of people who fit the false description Smollet gave, giving rise to racial [and political] friction. What would’ve Smollett done had two men been falsely arrested using his description? And notably, he still hasn’t admit guilt. That means the Chicago police should still use resources to investigate the alleged crime, and gay Chicagoans should still be in fear. I see no reason for why he shouldn’t be sentenced the maximum.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Ok, they were at a bathhouse at the same time. What does that prove? Unless a video exists of them having sex with each other (and for some reason Smollett does come off as just that stupid) I don’t get what this proves other than the brothers are lying about their not being gay, or at least one of them is. And by the way, why all the secrecy as to the name of this bathhouse? I checked with other sites that ran this article and not one is saying the name of the place.
Felecia
Steamworks, I think was said…
Invader7
Jesse : You’re just a soon to be HAS BEEN , SELF DESTRUCTIVE nasty desperate sad little person. You DESERVE everything coming your way ASSHOLE !! You make gay men of color look bad and give our enemies ammunition to use against us. But NO !! Your insecure PHUCKED up selfish ego ruined your good standing and reputation . And now you’re a NONBODY !!! LOSER !!!
Jim A
The real shame here is that a brilliantly talented young man has ruined his career and probably his life as the result of his having been involved in this sordid, insane plot. -And all for absolutely nothing.
One of the greatest acts of self sabotage in the history of the Entertainment Industry .
Troysky
@Sister BB… perhaps leaving the bathhouse name out of press, b/c affluent members probably would want to avoid added degrees of exposure. A guess. But good point – even if both were there at the same time, it doesn’t prove enough….unless they are both arrived together on a security video. …the whole thing is the biggest mess.
Donston
I’m guessing they’re going the route of suggesting he attacked Jussie in order to “prove” that he wasn’t fooling around with Jussie. But even if that’s the entire truth (and I doubt that it is) Jussie still ended up committed perjury, stoked racial tensions and made up a “hate crime”. I guess it could still be a “hate crime” if it was driven by homophobia/internalized homophobia/wanting to “prove” that you’re not into dudes. But it’s still a completely different scenario from what Jussie presented. They’re trying to find loopholes. Not sure it’s gonna work though.
Jared MacBride
So they met at Steamworks . . . big whoop. It’s been a matter of public record for a long time that they knew each other; not sure why its relevant where they met, except that it’s a slow news day.
Kangol2
I think his lawyer’s angle is that he hooked up repeatedly with Abel Osundairo at _______ (Steamworks, the upscale bathhouse in Chicago). Abel was on the DL. His big brother Ola finds out that rather than just being Jussie’s trainer partner/dealer, etc., they’re phucking. So they beat Jussie up. It’s kind of absurd but not completely outside the realm of possibility, since there were alleged eports of the older Osundairo brother being homophobic on some TV show set. I’m curious to see where this leads. And to think, had Jussie not thrown in that MAGAt bit, he might have gotten off with a scolding!
calpoidog
How is Steamworks an “affluent” bathhouse? Where the hell does that descriptor come from? Anyone with $25 can go. I really don’t think someone who’s as recognizable as he is would go but whatever…
Josh447
And I should care bc? He’s old news. Out with the trash.
Cam
This seems like the Chicago police leaking a smear.
Smollet is an ass, and deserved the disgust for what he did…., but an unsourced, unproven accusation with no backup? Seems like one of those “Look at how nasty these gays are” kind of thing.
justgeo
Why you giving this tired ass hole space time here?
jackscott
Just lock the jerk up!
Black Pegasus
If this is the hill Jussie wants to die on then let him….. He will die on that hill all by himself while his tiny group of woke evidence deniers and sycophants move on while forgetting he ever existed.
The road to forgiveness starts with contrition
Stefan
Chicago has an affluent bathhouse?! Any one can go to Steamworks for 20.00.
DuMaurier
Ah, the plot thickens. Along with a couple other things, nyuck nyuck.
Okay, I’m out.
Wheelerman
Ahh, Jussie, I’m sure Tyler Perry will give you a job on The Haves and Have Nots, but you gotta bulk up, hon.
Doug
I don’t get it. How does all this change the fact that he made a false police report that he’d been attacked by MAGA right-wingers?
Inspector 57
Right!
Hussain-TheCanadian
David Chappelle is such a genius, he summed up the whole affair with his “Juicy Smoletté” take down.
Terrycloth
You mean his “acting as an attacker “because he wasn’t attacked. It was a stunt and a lie ..why isn’t he in prison yet is beyond me