Jussie Smollett allegedly had a sexual relationship with his ‘attacker’ at a gay bathhouse
Jussie Smollett appearing after a court appearance in March 2019 (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty)
Gay former Empire actor Jussie Smollett allegedly knew his ‘attacker’ well and actually had a sexual relationship with him, it has been claimed.
Smollett is awaiting trial for allegedly staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in Chicago. He returned to court in February where he pleaded not guilty to claims of a hate crime hoax.
His innocence has been cast further into doubt as newly emerged claims suggest that Smollett was familiar with his alleged attacker, Ambimbola “Abel” Osundairo, having met him frequently at an upscale gay bathhouse.
“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,” a source told Page Six.
“It’s known as a bathhouse where a lot of affluent Black gay men hang out. There should be a record [of their visits].”
According to Page Six, the bathhouse records may be subpoenaed in Smollett’s upcoming trial on charges of disorderly conduct.
Osundairo has strongly denied that he is gay and last year sued Smollett’s lawyers for defamation after they insinuated there was a sexual relationship between he and Smollett.
Jussie Smollett at Leighton Criminal Court in March 2019 (E. JASON WAMBSGANS/AFP/Getty)
The suit claimed the comments put him and his Nigerian family at risk due to the country’s oppressive laws against homosexuality, which punish gay sex with up to 14 years in prison or death by stoning if the person is married.
“We have sat back and watched lie after lie being fabricated about us in the media only so one big lie can continue to have life. These lies are destroying our character and our reputation in our personal and professional lives,” their attorney read in a statement on their behalf at the time.
A judge dismissed their defamation suit last month, while Smollett’s trial continues.
Separately, the city of Chicago is still pursuing a civil lawsuit against Smollett, seeking to reclaim $130,000 spent investigating his claims.
