Brothers’ Defamation Case Against Jussie Smollett’s Lawyer Dismissed
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Smollett’s Lawyer
Two brothers who helped stage a hate crime attack against actor Jussie Smollett won’t be able to collect damages from Smollett’s lawyers for defamation, a federal judge in Chicago ruled Friday.
The Background of the Case
Since shortly after Smollett reported he had been attacked by two men near his downtown apartment in 2019, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo have claimed they were hired to pretend to beat up the former “Empire” star while shouting racist, homophobic slurs at the gay Black actor.
The Brothers’ Claims
That led to criminal charges against Smollett for lying to police, and to a trial where the brothers became star witnesses — and stars of a documentary about the hoax. However, the Osundairo brothers claimed that Smollett’s lawyer, Tina Glandian, defamed them in a 2019 “Today” show interview.
The Judge’s Ruling
In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland wrote that the Osundairo brothers voluntarily injected themselves into the public controversy and, therefore, cannot claim they were defamed by Glandian. The judge listed several examples of the brothers’ efforts to seek media attention, including hiring a publicist and negotiating a deal for a documentary.
The Brothers’ Disappointment
The Osundairo brothers’ attorney, Gregory Kulis, said they were disappointed with the ruling and would consider an appeal. “Other than their documentary, you have not seen them on any interviews,” Kulis said. “There were some facts that got them some publicity, but there have been some things that have been very bad for them.”
Conclusion
The judge’s ruling is a significant victory for Glandian, who has maintained that the Osundairo brothers’ claims of defamation are baseless. The case is a reminder of the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Smollett case, which has been marked by controversy and controversy.
FAQs
* What was the outcome of the defamation case against Jussie Smollett’s lawyer?
The case was dismissed, with the judge ruling that the Osundairo brothers, who helped stage a hate crime attack against Smollett, cannot claim they were defamed by Smollett’s lawyer, Tina Glandian.
* What did the Osundairo brothers claim about the attack on Jussie Smollett?
The brothers claimed that they were hired to pretend to beat up Smollett while shouting racist and homophobic slurs at the gay Black actor.
* What was the outcome of Jussie Smollett’s criminal trial?
Smollett’s conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court last month.
