Jussie Smollett’s lawyers have filed a countersuit against the Osundairo brothers’ defamation suit after a judge ruled that the suit can go forward on Friday.
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The actor’s lawyers stated that the claims made by the two brothers are “baseless” and contribute to malicious prosecution. Earlier today, a judge approved the Osundairo brothers’ suit to move forward after citing that Smollett’s lawyers possibly defamed them prior to testifying in court about the hoax hate crime. According to ABC Chicago, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland based the ruling from Smollett’s lawyer, Tina Glandian, commentary during her March 2019 appearance on the “Today” show.
Glandian claimed the two brothers possibly wore whiteface to disguise their dark skin along with criticizing Chicago police for failing to investigate a video that was uploaded online of the Osundairo brothers joking around while wearing the makeup.
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The brothers’ suit claims Glandian’s comments were allegedly part of a plan to portray them as homophobic, racist, and violent men who attacked the actor.
“Taken in context, Glandian was asserting plaintiffs’ involvement in a racially motivated attack. Explaining that the attackers were white, read in context, adds the implication that the attack was a hate crime.” Roland said during the ruling.