Two men in connection with the alleged staged attack of Empire actor Jussie Smollett could be charged as early as Friday, according to a report.

CBS 2 investigative journalist Brad Edwards, citing a source with intimate knowledge of the Chicago Police Department’s investigation into the matter, reports the alleged attack on Smollett was “potentially orchestrated” by the actor and the two men, who are persons of interest in the case. A spokesperson for the Chicago police told Edwards that CBS 2’s report and others are “unconfirmed” at this time.

The “persons of interest” are brothers of Nigerian descent who worked on Empire and are in police custody, being questioned about their connection to the attack. A lawyer for the brothers told CBS 2 that the pair could be charged on Friday. “They were actually detained at customs at O’Hare airport yesterday around 5:45 p.m.,” Gloria Schmidt, the brothers’ attorney, said. “They had no idea what was going on, and they’ve been detained since then.”

CBS 2 reports:

The brothers were returning from a trip to Nigeria, their attorney said. As they were picked up by police at O’Hare, officers were at their home, taking several items and leaving behind an inventory list of some of the items taken. The list includes a black face mask hat, an Empire script, a phone, receipts, a red hat and bleach.

“When they first learned about what happened to him they were horrified. This is someone they know. This is someone they’ve worked with, so they don’t want to see somebody go through that,” Schmidt continued.

Schmidt confirmed to CBS 2 that the brothers were extras on Empire and occasionally worked out with Smollett.

“They are really baffled why they are people of interest,” the lawyer said. “They really don’t understand how they even got information that linked them to this horrific crime, but they are not guilty of it.”

On Thursday, Chicago police Anthony Guglielmi said detectives were questioning the two individuals, but said neither of them were “considered suspects at this time.”

The men were spotted on surveillance cameras in the Chicago neighborhood where the alleged assault occurred, according to Guglielmi.

The developments come as law enforcement continues to investigate the case, which began with Smollett telling police two masked individuals spewed racist and homophobic slurs at him and doused him with an unknown chemical substance on January 29. The 36-year-old also told police the alleged assailants placed a thin rope around his neck and yelled “This is MAGA country” before fleeing the scene.

Appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America Thursday, Smollett claimed his attackers were motivated by his public criticism of against President Donald Trump and his policies. “I come really, really hard against 45. I come really hard against his administration. I don’t hold my tongue,” he told interviewer Robin Roberts.

Chicago police said Monday they were unable to criminally investigate the matter after Smollett turned over phone records that were redacted. “We are very appreciative of the victim’s cooperation however the records provided do not meet the burden for a criminal investigation as they were limited and heavily redacted,” said police. “Detectives may be following up with him to request additional data to corroborate the investigative timeline.”

Smollett and members of his family have maintained the actor has been honest about the alleged incident through the investigation, claiming his story has been the same throughout the investigation. “I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level,” the actor said in a statement to ESSENCE magazine. “Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served.”

Midday brief, in brief

Today at Commission, migration and Florence speech

Jean-Claude Juncker reads the papers, his spokesman says, but wouldn’t comment on Boris Johnson’s Brexit epic.

On the agenda: Migration, Brexit, EU-Switzerland relations, security, aviation.

On the podium: Commission chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas.

Storm in Romania: Schinas started the Commission’s daily press briefing by expressing condolences for the victims of a storm in Romania that killed at least 8 people at the weekend. The Commission also praised the “brave first responders” and said it was ready to send members of its emergency response team. More on the storm here. 

Migration: The Commission said several countries responded after the Commission offered a total of €400 million to host 40,000 refugees after the EU’s relocation scheme ends at the end of this month. The Commission’s new migration plans will be unveiled on September 27.

EU-Swiss relations: Natasha Bertaud, the Commission’s spokeswoman for migration and security, said only EU countries have direct access to Europol’s database after Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga said they was an “important security gap” between the two sides. Bertaud said as a member of the Schengen zone, Switzerland has an access to the Schengen database and it has a liaison with Europol.

Boris’ Brexit bombshell: Schinas said Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker receives “exhaustive” overviews of the press, including at weekends. He’d been asked if Juncker had read British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s piece on Brexit in the Telegraph. The Commission spokesman said “the European Commission does not and will not comment on the intra-U.K. debate,” especially as Theresa May is to deliver a speech on Brexit in Florence on Friday. Schinas could not confirm if a phone call between Juncker and May was scheduled ahead of the speech.

Aviation: The Commission did not comment on Ryanair’s decision to cancel hundreds of flights because of “messed up” planning of pilots’ holidays. The Commission’s spokesman for environment and transport Enrico Brivio declined to comment on what he called an “operational decision,” but said Brussels expects Ryanair to comply with EU law on passengers’ rights.

Commissioners on stage: Before the daily press conference got started, Commissioners Jyrki Katainen and Elżbieta Bieńkowska presented the Commission’s new industrial strategy.

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Actor Ian McKellen said in a new interview that allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey and director Bryan Singer may not have happened if they weren’t “in the closet.”

“Most of them were in the closet,” Ian McKellen said of gay men who have been accused of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era.

“Hence, all their problems as people and their relationship with other people,” he continued. “If they had been able to be open about themselves and their desires, they wouldn’t have started abusing people in the way they’ve been accused.”

Indeed, both Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer have been accused of sexual misconduct with men and possibly with underage victims.

McKellen, who is himself openly gay, also told the QueerAF podcast that he is “waiting” to be accused of misconduct.

“Well frankly, I’m waiting for someone to accuse me of something, and me wondering whether they’re not telling the truth and me having forgotten.”

This isn’t the first time the X Men actor has expressed some eyebrow-raising thoughts about the #MeToo movement.

In 2017, McKellen said that he when he was starting out in the entertainment industry, many women would openly offer directors sex in exchange for roles.

“I hope we’re going through a period that will help to eradicate it altogether…but from my own experience, when I was starting acting in the early Sixties, the director of the theatre I was working at showed me some photographs he got from women who were wanting jobs,” he said, continuing, “some of them had at the bottom of their photograph ‘DRR’ — directors’ rights respected. In other words, if you give me a job, you can have sex with me.”

“That was commonplace from people who proposed that they should be a victim. Madness,” the 79-year-old said. “People have taken advantage of that and encouraged it and it absolutely will not do.”

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Theresa May in Brussels for Brexit talks Wednesday

The UK prime minister will discuss the country’s future relationship with the EU.

Theresa May will come to Brussels Wednesday to discuss the draft Brexit deal with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, according to Spain’s foreign minister.

The prime minister’s visit — during which she will also meet EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, according to a Commission official — will focus on the text of the political declaration on the U.K.’s future relationship with the bloc. London and Brussels last week published a 585-page draft of the Withdrawal Agreement along with a much vaguer seven-page summary of the political declaration. Negotiations have continued this week on expanding and clarifying that text.

“Maybe tomorrow this text will be available because tomorrow Mrs. May will be coming here,” said Spain’s Foreign Minister Josep Borrell in an interview with POLITICO.

Theresa May emphasized the importance of the political declaration in an interview Sunday. “Getting that future relationship right is necessary. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,” she said.

“The thing that’s going to make a difference to people’s lives is the future relationship,” she said, adding: “It’s in the national interest to get that deal right.”

May’s visit to Brussels takes place at a crucial time for the Brexit negotiations as EU leaders prepare to meet for a special summit in Brussels on Sunday.

May’s visit is “on the agenda,” the Commission official said, adding that she would meet both Juncker and Barnier. He said he doesn’t know whether May would meet European Council President Donald Tusk.

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Left-wing pop icon Cher speculated Monday that President Donald Trump may want to murder the cast of Saturday Night Live over their jokes about him.

“trump says SNL should Suffer Retribution 4 Their Cold Opening With Alec Baldwin Ridiculing trump’s incoherent, rambling (This Really isn’t emergency) speech In Garden,” Cher said in a social media post.

The 72-year-old singer also said that Trump may think an “appropriate punishment” for the SNL cast is a visit from the Ku Klux Klan and or death.

“What Does Dictator trump think Is Appropriate Punishment!? LASHINGS, PUT CAST IN CAGES, VISITS FROM KKK, death!?”

Cher’s statement comes in response to a post from President Trump over the weekend where he attacked SNL for pumping out an endless stream of skits that are “unfair” to Republicans.

“Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC!” Trump said. “Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion!”

The president also said, “THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT MEDIA IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!”

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This prompted Alec Baldwin, who portrays Trump on SNL, to claim that his safety was being threatened.

“I wonder if a sitting President exhorting his followers that my role in a TV comedy qualifies me as an enemy of the people constitutes a threat to my safety and that of my family?” Baldwin said.

Cher’s social media posts often take aim at the president and Republicans in general.

The “Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves” singer recently fantasized about President Trump being put in a “straight jacket” and sent to prison.

Letter to the Editor

Selmayr scandal will tarnish Juncker’s legacy

Commission mishandled the controversial appointment and its aftermath.

In his article, “The misunderstood Herr Selmayr,” (March 12) Tim King makes a puzzling analysis about the new secretary-general of the European Commission’s appointment. There is no witch hunt going on. There is only rightful criticism of a Commission that mishandled not only the appointment but also its aftermath.

To begin with, there is absolutely no precedent for the process by which Martin Selmayr was given his new job. Validating the decision will be a major hit to the EU administration’s neutrality in the future. Other appointments will become suspect.

Then there’s the quality of the candidate himself. There is no indication Selmayr has the experience needed to manage some 33,000 people. And while the new secretary-general may be a formidable political player, the EU’s interest is not served by the hyper-politicization of its administration and the establishment of a spoils system.

There is also a huge image problem. How can the public accept the meteoric rise of someone with so little management experience and whose elevation required so much bending of the rules? The commissioners — beginning with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker — who approved his appointment have been exposed as careless, and their insistence afterward that the appointment was carried out in complete respect of the law looks irresponsible and devious.

In spite of his other achievements, Juncker’s “legacy” will be the destabilization of the whole institution. For the first time since 1952, the appointment of the secretary-general is both legally shaky and widely contested. (See by comparison former Commission President Jacques Delors’ extreme subtlety in appointing David Williamson as secretary-general in 1987.)

The last time the institution was headed by a former prime minister from Luxembourg, Jacques Santer, the term ended in scandal. Allegations of corruption in the institution forced the entire Commission to resign in 1999.

The long-term impact of Selmayr’s installment will be more damaging still. The institution is now wounded at the heart, given that the contested appointment is at the top. The legitimacy of many of the Commission’s initiatives is endangered and its generally strong communication smeared by repeated falsehoods. Most probably, Juncker and the rest of the commissioners won’t have the lucidity to correct the mistake. The Parliament will establish that there were irregularities, but won’t draw the logical conclusion.

Both institutions will be weakened, and populist parties will have been given valuable ammunition to use during the 2019 European Parliament election. With friends like these, Europe doesn’t need enemies.

Franklin Dehousse
Professor at the University of Liège, former special representative of Belgium, former judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union
Brussels, Belgium

The England international has left the door open for a move to Spain, but his current boss has no concerns over his commitment

Pep Guardiola has no concerns when it comes to Raheem Sterling’s future at Manchester City, with the England international considered to be totally committed to the Blues despite hinting at a future move to Real Madrid.

The Blancos have been credited with holding a long-standing interest in the 25-year-old.

Fresh speculation regarding a switch to Spain has sparked on the back of City being stung with a two-year Champions League ban for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations.

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It is understood that Sterling is not actively looking for an exit, but he has been ruled anything out. 

In an interview with AS, the City winger admitted that a switch to Santiago Bernabeu could appeal to him at some stage.

Guardiola is not about to go reading between the lines of that statement, with a key part of his plans tied to a contract through to 2023.

He told reporters when quizzed on Sterling’s comments: “The players are free to talk about what they believe.

“I am completely sure about the commitment of our players.

“They have shown it for many, many years. No one knows what will happen, but right now the commitment for the last three months, every single game, I don’t have any doubts.”

Sterling is currently out of action with a hamstring injury.

He will not be ready to return to the fold when City face Leicester on Saturday, with fellow forward Leroy Sane also nursing his way back from a serious knee problem.

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Guardiola said when offering his latest fitness update: “All of them are ok, not 100 per cent some of them.

“[David] Silva was smart to come off for the last minutes [against West Ham], Sterling is in the latter stage [of recovery]. He’s getting better.

“Sane is good as well, but of course he needs a little more time after six months out.”

While Sterling is facing questions on his future at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola is doing likewise.

He is, however, convinced that UEFA’s European ban will be overturned and that speculation will soon fade away.

“We cannot change what people think. I know how hard we work,” he said of the FFP allegations.

“I am so proud about how hard we’ve worked all these years.

“No one helped us outside, we did it day by day, game by game.

“This is not finished, it’s not over, we appeal as a club and we see what happens.”

Hungary: We built a wall and the EU should pay for it

Hungary expects €400 million for ‘protecting all the citizens of Europe from the flood of illegal migrants.’

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will ask the European Union to pay €400 million to help Hungary pay for its border protection expenses, including a newly built fence on its border with Serbia, chief of staff János Lázár said Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference with government spokesman Zoltán Kovács, Lázár said the EU should pay 50 percent of the €800 million total border protection cost, saying that “European solidarity should also be shown in practise.”

Hungary, the minister argued, “was protecting all the citizens of Europe from the flood of illegal migrants,” warning that “double standards cannot be applied.”

Hungary began building border fences on its border with Serbia, a non-EU country, in 2015 during the height of the migrant crisis without the EU’s support. A second fence was finished in April this year.

The European Commission does “not promote the use of fences” and “we have only recently taken down walls in Europe, we should not be putting them up,” a spokesman said in 2015. The EU is pursuing multiple infringement proceedings against Hungary related to its treatment of migrants.

Since April, countries like Germany have chafed at Budapest’s treatment of asylum seekers, halting refugee resettlements until Hungary can guarantee their conditions have improved.

This year, the government announced that it will detain asylum seekers in “shelters” near its border with Serbia until their status is determined.

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Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson felt the Premier League mid-season break helped them to a much-needed 1-0 win over Newcastle, their first victory of 2020.

Patrick Van Aanholt’s brilliant 45th-minute free kick was the difference between the two clubs, although the Eagles would have added to their tally had visiting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka not been in such good form.

He made key saves to deny Gary Cahill and Scott Dann in the first half, while Jordan Ayew was unable to grab the goal his performance deserved.

After losing to Everton on February 8, Palace’s players were able to enjoy some down time before returning to training this week with a bounce in their step.

“It helped,” Hodgson said. “We used the mid-season break for what it was intended. We didn’t try to continue pounding them on patterns of play and the things we work on every day.

“We encouraged the players to take the wife away and take the family away and forget about football.

“Of course we gave them a physical training programme, but they wanted that. The way professional football players are today, they wouldn’t have thanked you for saying don’t do anything.

“They would knock on the door and ask about what running should we do, how often should I go to the gym so we gave them that and I think they all followed it diligently.

“When they came back there was a bounce in everyone’s step and our training this week has been really, really good. I thought it showed in some of our movements.”

Palace were the better side from the start, but did not find the breakthrough until the stroke of half-time.

Van Aanholt curled around the wall and scored to end the Eagles long wait for a first half goal at Selhurst Park – a run stretching back to September 28.

With Hodgson expected to sign a new contract shortly, it was the perfect response to a three-game losing streak and while they are now nine points above the relegation zone, the 72-year-old is not getting carried away with a trip to rivals Brighton up next.

He added: “It is a very important game and we have to try and reproduce this performance because we are not going to be safe until such time when the gap between us and the team lying third from bottom is so great, they can’t catch us.”

 

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Aston Villa boss Dean Smith his side were simply “not good enough” and claimed a lack of “fight” as they lost 2-0 to Southampton.

The Saints dominated the first half in particular, with Shane Long’s goal giving the home side the lead early on.

But Villa remained in the game up until the final seconds before Stuart Armstrong wrapped up the three points for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Smith’s side remain just one point off the relegation zone, and the Villa boss was not happy with the performance.

He told Match of the Day: “We never laid a glove on them in the first 20 minutes. I try to defend the players but today was not good enough. They were miles off it in the first half. A bit better in the second half. It was a game that could have been won but we didn’t create enough and didn’t defend enough. They were deserved winners.

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“Jack Grealish got in behind them right from kick off and then they went long. They were getting shots and we were getting blocks. We can’t keep talking about getting good starts. Not starting well is a concern.

“We can’t play that bad again. It gave me a lot of heart seeing them against Tottenham but today was dreadful.

“The fight disappointed me in the first half. There was a bit more fight in the second half. I will take responsibility for the performance because I am the one who picks them.”

 

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