Osundairo brothers file defamation lawsuit against 'Empire' actor's attorneys
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The lawsuit alleges that, "Smollett directed every aspect of the attack, including the location and the noose" and that his attorneys defamed the brothers in statements to the media.
"There are numerous defamatory statements and they are all included in the 16-page lawsuit that we filed," said James Tunick, attorney for the Osundairo brothers.
The lawsuit says that due to the attention and the negative comments from Smollett's attorneys, they haven't been able to work and it is affecting their livelihood. They are suing Geragos and Glandian for $75,000 each.
"There are consequences for the actions that Tina Glandian and Mark Geragos have taken. Today's suit enables us to make sure those consequences are decided in a court of law and not on a cable news network," said Gregory Kulis, attorney for the Osundairo brothers.
Bola and Ola Osundairo were questioned by police and testified to a grand jury about the attack, and were never charged with anything. They said in a statement, "These lies are destroying our character and reputation in our personal and professional lvies."
In a statement, Geragos and Glandian said: "At first we thought this comical legal document was a parody. Instead this so-called lawsuit by the brothers is more of their lawyer driven nonsense, and a desperate attempt for them to stay relevant and further profit from an attack they admit they perpetrated. While we know this ridiculous lawsuit will soon be dismissed because it lacks any legal footing, we look forward to exposing the fraud the Osundairo brothers and their attorneys have committed on the public."
Last month, prosecutors dropped disorderly conduct charges against Smollett after he reported being attacked by two men in the city's Streeterville neighborhood, who he alleged yelled racist and homophobic slurs and poured a chemical on him, as well as looping a noose-like rope around his neck.
Chicago police said Smollett staged the attack with the help of the Osundairo brothers, who he knew through "Empire," and paid them.
Smollett has maintained his innocence.
https://abc7chicago.com/osundairo-brothers-file-defamation-lawsuit-against-jussie-smolletts-attorneys/5266021/