CNN: Chicago Police Sources Say Smollett Appears to Have Orchestrated ‘Hate Crime’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

CUPP: "We have breaking news into the investigation of an alleged attack against "Empire" star Jussie Smollett. Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN Chicago police believe Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate the assault. The actor told police that on January 29th two masked men beat him, doused him with a liquid he thought was bleach and put a rope around his neck while shouting racial and homophobic slurs. I want to go to Ryan Young in Chicago for the latest. Ryan, what are we learning?
YOUNG: "We were talking to the two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation. They tell CNN that Chicago police believe Jussie Smollett paid the two men to orchestrate the assault. The brothers who were arrested Wednesday were released without charges Friday after police cited the discovery of new evidence. The sources tell CNN that the two men are now cooperating fully with law enforcement. Smollett authorities he was attacked by two men that were yelling racial and homophobic slurs and one put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown liquid on him. There are records that showed the two people purchased the rope at an ace hardware store in Chicago. CNN's attempts to reach both Smollett's representative and attorney were unsuccessful right now. I can tell you police have been working this case. 12 detectives are working this case nonstop. More twists and turns. But, of course, now the focus is on the investigation and how the detectives move this to the next phase."
CUPP: "Thanks, Ryan."