3X Emmy award-winning journalist, storyteller and video marketer. Chicago bred. San Diego based.
San Diego, CA
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I can tell you that @Chicago_Police are furious over SA Kim Foxxâs decision to drop all charges against #JussieSmollett
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#ChicagoPolice source tells @fox32news that #JussieSmollett was seen on surveillance still holding his #Subway sandwich when he returned to the building after the alleged attack.
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#Breaking: 2 #CPD sources tell @fox32news the brothers arrested & released in #JussieSmollett case told detectives they were paid by the #Empire actor to orchestrate the attack. Detectives also have a receipt for the rope found on #Smollett neck showing the brothers bought it.
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Many have said that itâs time to âmove onâ from #JussieSmollett. This is no longer just about Smollett. I canât believe I have to say it, but itâs now about whether or not Cook Countyâs top prosecutor has been comprised. And thereâs still a federal investigation into the letter
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Jussie Smollett investigation: Judge orders Google to turn over a full year of the actorâs data as part of special prosecutor probe chicagotribune.com/news/crimâŚ
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For those asking me why I only went on @seanhannity @IngrahamAngle and @ShannonBream on @FoxNews, to talk #JussieSmollett and not any othersâsimply, they are the national TV shows that asked me to come on.
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Did Top Prosecutor Break Law Cutting Deal With Jussie Smollett?
patch.com/illinois/chicago/dâŚ
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A furious Mayor Emanuel calls SA Kim Foxxâs decision to drop charges against #JussieSmollett a âwhite wash of justice...and itâs just wrong. Full stop.â Adding it sends the clear message that for those who have political influence a different code of justice exists for them.
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#Chicago was out-corrupted?! đł
A former governor of Rio de Janeiro told a judge that he paid a $2 million bribe to win the 2016 Olympics â defeating Chicagoâs bid in the process. trib.al/SxaLMCu
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Latest on #JussieSmollett:
Several #CPD sources confirmed detectives were able to show the 2 Nigerian brothers questioned by police had purchased the rope found around Smollettâs neck at an Ace hardware. The brothers agreed to cooperate with police who are investigating...(1/2)
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Just got a tip from my Chicago PD source that SA Kim Foxx is going to drop the charges against #JussieSmollett. The question @Chicago_Police now have for him is how does #smollett plan to reimburse the city for all the money that was spent on his investigation?
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Exclusive: Judge rips @SAKimFoxxâs office 4 charging woman w/ filing a false report after #JussieSmollett â[Sheâs] not a movie star and she doesnât have a high-priced lawyer. And this smells big time. I didnât create this mess. Your office created this mess. Itâs not right.â
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Two brothers in #JussieSmollett case walked into the door marked âGrand Juryâ at Cook County Courthouse about 30 min ago. Standing outside the door now.
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Legal expert Karen Conti tells me #Chicago's suit against #JussieSmollett is #Smollett's "worst nightmare. The city wants its pound of flesh. " The evidence would likely be unsealed and the case could drag out 4 years. "We're gonna get the facts that we haven't gotten thus far."
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My #CPD tip says SA Kim Foxxâs office is dropping the charges against #JussieSmollett because âhe already did community serviceâ. Itâs unclear when he actually did that community service.
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Gloria Schmidt the attorney for the the two brothers says #JussieSmollett is lying and the âtruth will set him freeâ adding she doesnât know how Jussie Smollettâs conscience lets him sleep at night.
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.@Chicago_Police say theyâve IDâd retailers of the rope found on #JussieSmollet & are now visiting every store in the city 2 check surveillance 2 see who bought it. Theyâve also obtained more video from nearby hotels & red light cameras. Still no video of alleged attack
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.@fox32news has learned from @Chicago_Police that the 2 persons of interests they are talking to were an extra on #Empire and his close friend. They were picked up at the airport and are the ones in surveillance video.
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The email sent by Michelle Obamaâs former Chief of Staff Tina Tchen which was the precursor to text and phone call exchanges between SA Kim Foxx and an unknown #JussieSmolett family member.
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Thread: (1/5) Newly released texts and emails show SA Kim Foxx was very much involved in #jussiesmollett case and not at all ârecusedâ. Foxx and her staff paid very close attention to all media reports written about the case, sharing articles via text.
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Must watch: SA Kim Foxx's office ripped by a judge for charging a 21 year-old woman w/ filing a false police report but letting #JussieSmollett walk. "This smells, big time. I didn't create this mess. You're office created this mess." @fox32news Exclusive.fox32chicago.com/amp/news/loâŚ
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#JussieSmollett has until the end of the day to pay the city $130K which @ChicagosMayor says covers the OT of @Chicago_Police investigation into his alleged hoax. If he doesnât, city is likely to sue. Standards for proving #Smollett staged it will be lower than in criminal court.
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whether Smollett made up the story after police threatened to charge them with battery. The brothers attorney said both brothers knew Smollett. There are unconfirmed reports that Smollett paid the two brothers to perform the alleged scheme. (2/2).
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#CPD source says they found out SA Kim Foxxâs office was going to drop charges against #JussieSmolett through a source this morning just before academy graduation. Foxx did not contact Supt Johnson or the Mayor b4 hand which the source called âunprofessionalâ and âdisrespectfulâ.
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#ChicagoPolice Supt Eddie Johnson says #JussieSmollett is still being treated as the victim in this case but if the investigation does reveal he made a false report he will be held accountable.
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To be clear. I am not accusing #JessieSmollett of lying. Iâm saying #ChicagoPD and Chicago FBI have been working round the clock & have found nothing to support it. And given the extremity of his claims and where they allegedly took place it has them skeptical.
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I have some personal news that Iâm excited to announce. I have been moved to weekday morning anchor for @fox32news #GoodDayChicago 4-6 AM CST with @RoseanneTellez. We start March 4th, my late father, Tim Weigelâs, birthday.
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Top attorney Mark Geragos has joined #JussieSmollett legal team. He is assisting Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson. #CPD sources tell me an indictment of #Smollett could be coming in âa matter of hours. Not daysâ.
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Judge assigns special prosecutor to investigate handling of Smollett case fox32chicago.com/news/local/âŚ
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The community service according to #Smollett defense team was done prior for something not related to this case. It just gets more confusing.
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Chicago police release hundreds of pages of documents related to Smollett investigation fox32chicago.com/news/local/âŚ
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City of #Chicago moving forward with a civil suit against #JussieSmollett after he ârefused to reimburse the city for the cost of police OT spent investigating his false police reportâ. The suit will be filed in the ânear futureâ and will seek full measure of damages allowed.
A rep from #JussieSmollett legal team if he paid the $130K to the city of #Chicago and @Chicago_Police: âno comment at this timeâ.
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#JussieSmollett made a surprise visit to the Criminal Court building in #Chicago today. Reps for his legal team say there will be a âhugeâ announcement at about 1045am.
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The Stateâs attorneyâs office is saying the decision to drop the charges against #JussieSmollett did not come from Kim Foxx as she recused herself. No one thatâs close to the case that Iâve talked to outside of #Smollettâs legal team believes that.
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#CPD says #JussieSmollett charged with a class 4 felony for disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Heâs due in bond court tomorrow at 1:30 PM central time. The question is, will he appear?
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Judge Kendall denies #JussieSmollett lawyers request to dismiss the case. Saying, if someone was going to falsely claim a racist and homophobic attack, it isnât unreasonable to think the @Chicago_Police wouldnât spend the hours necessary to investigate it. Moving to discovery.
At Dirksen Federal Court building where a judge will decide whether or not to proceed with #Chicagoâs suit against #JussieSmollett asking to recoup $130K in OT costs to investigate his alleged fake crime. #Smollettâs lawyer tells me he thinks the judge will dismiss the case.
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Judge says because #JussieSmollett went on national TV to talk about his case he forfeited his right to privacy-orders unsealing of all evidence against him. âŚ@fox32news was part of the suit.⊠@SAKimFoxx⊠office says docs will be released by 6/3. fox32chicago.com/news/local/âŚ
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Media outlets who 1st reported Smollett was âattackedâ made an error. Initially most of us in #Chicago media reported âJussie Smollett says he was attackedâ because we didnât know if it actually happened. Itâs the old adage, âif your mother says she loves you, check it outâ
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Grand jurors hearing evidence in #JussieSmollett case are about to be escorted out of the building. Weâve just been asked to move away from the door.
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.@fox32news has also learned the 2 brothers arrested in #JessieSmollett case told detectives that they had rehearsed the âattackâ prior to the day it was reported.
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Right now it appears #JussieSmolett severely underestimated the tenacity and competency of the @Chicago_Police Dept hate crimes division.
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Just picturing what would happen if things were reversed and Biden had lost and was later caught on tape trying to bully a governor to "find" votes for him to overturn the results. All of you supporting Trump would be totally ok with that too, right?
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I realize this is a very sensitive subject and emotions are high but for you to âblindlyâ accuse @Chicago_Police of spreading misinformation on #JussieSmollett and attack my credibility for quoting them when you donât know what actually happened is irresponsible and unfair.
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My #CPD sources telling me the same: detectives r investigating the possibility that Smollett staged the incident w/ the help of the brothers, who according to their attorney know the actor from working on the show & also have spent time with him at a gym chicagotribune.com/news/locaâŚ
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Fraternal Order of Police in #Chicago is asking for a federal investigation into Cook County SA Kim Foxx for how she handled the #JussieSmollett case, arguing she may have broken the law when she tried to take the case away from #CPD. Details on @fox32news at 9.
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Chicago PD says they have not yet seen any medical records so far citing a broken rib.
.@RaferWeigel He says he broke a rib(s). Do we have hospital records?
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Judge hearing #JessieSmollett evidence said âif the statement read to me is true it is utterly outrageous. The most despicable thing about this is the noose.â The judge called that a depiction of âevilâ.
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Former Michelle Obama COS Tina Tchen refuses subpoena about her role in #JussieSmollett case says PI. âShe knew about the subpoena, but refused to come down. I donât know why sheâd turn it down. Sheâll be served eventuallyâ. chicago.suntimes.com/2019/5/⌠via @SunTimes
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High-profile #Chicago defense attorney Michael Monico let it be known he was representing #JussieSmollett on @RoeConn radio show today. Monico also represents #MichaelCohen. He's considered one of the best defense lawyers in the country.
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#JussieSmollett officially now being called a suspect in the case.
Case Update: Jussie Smollett is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false police report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury.
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Osundairo brothers statement on #JussieSmollett case: "We have sat back & watched lie after lie being fabricated about us in the media only so one big lie can continue to have light. These lies r destroying our character and reputation & personal life...(1/2)
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#JussieSmollett is now in custody. #CPD says they Negotiated w/ his attorneys last night 4 his surrender. Met them w/ him at 5am at 1st district. #Smollett Came in quietly. Met detectives at the door without incident. Brought in for processing. Transferred 2 CC Courthouse
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Thanks to @seanhannity for having me on to talk #JussieSmollett case. Sorry I had to correct your pronunciation of my name. But itâs ok. Iâve been called me worse.
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Monico is no longer representing #JussieSmollett. Per @RoeConn âA source with direct knowledge says there was a disagreement about the decision to release yesterdayâs statement. He is now represented by Chicago attorneys Victor Henderson and Todd Pughâ
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Since so many have asked me if @Chicago_Police will let #JussieSmollett case go unsolved, Iâll give my opinion. Given the high-profile nature of the crime, I donât believe so. I believe theyâll either find the perpetrators responsible or charge #Smollett w/ filing a false report
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Chicago PD also tells me detectives spent hours questioning #JessieSmollett yesterday about the alleged assault while investigators combed the area where he says it happened for surveillance video.
To be clear. I am not accusing #JessieSmollett of lying. Iâm saying #ChicagoPD and Chicago FBI have been working round the clock & have found nothing to support it. And given the extremity of his claims and where they allegedly took place it has them skeptical.
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US officials confirm full-scale investigation of whether coronavirus escaped from Wuhan lab
foxnews.com/politics/us-offiâŚ
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As #TigerWoods puts on the #GreenJacket at #TheMasters he humbly states âit fitsâ, almost like he didnât believe it. What an inspiring moment to see a man whoâs human frailties once took him down now be able to rise to the top again as a champion. #persistence #hardworkpaysoff
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The most telling text from SA Kim Foxx to her ASA after dropping charges against #JussieSmollett: âJust wish I could have anticipated the magnitude of this response and planned a bit better!â
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I also asked #JussieSmollett if he planned to reimburse the city of #Chicago for the amount of money that was spent on his investigation and he did not answer. What about the Osundairo brothers? No response.
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I asked #JussieSmollett as he waited for his car if he had any il will against #Chicago. He emphatically told me he loves the city and the people of Chicago and has no il feelings toward anyone here. I asked what about Chicago PD? âNo commentâ.
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A viewer named Rencie Horst-Ruiz sent us these photos of an apparent alligator in Humboldt Park this AM #Chicago
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.@Chicago_Police are still not calling the 2 people theyâre questioning about #JussieSmollett suspects. #CPD says 1 was an extra on #Empire and the other was that mans friend and both are the ones seen on surveillance pic. #Smollett told #GMA men on that video were his attackers.
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Dear George McCaskey. I know you & that you're a fan first. You've tried to let people do their jobs like Ted Phillips who Virginia adores. They've all failed you. It's time to take control & clean house. Your legacy is what's at stake. You're here to win, not make friends #Bears
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Just called the @FBIChicago PIO about this. As I expected, their response was minimal: "We've got no comment on it."
FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!
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Got a tip that SA Kim Foxx would be at circuit court of Cook County today for a meeting. Had no comment when I asked if she was concerned about Sheila OâBrienâs subpoena to have her office investigated. Apologize for the bad camera work. Thatâs not my union. #JussieSmollett.
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Great to meet @cameron_kasky on set of @GoodDayChicago. The #Parklandshooting survivor in with #ChicagoPeaceWarriors Kobe Lofton and Trinity Cole-Reid. Peace rally 2nite at St Sabina w/ @chancetherapper & Jennifer Hudson. Kids making a difference. #Respect
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.âŚ@Chicago_Police⊠report contradicts notion that #JussieSmollett was unhappy with his pay. Ola says he asked them to stage the hoax b/c #Smollett was unhappy about the response (or lack thereof) he received over the hate mail sent to #Empire set.
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.@Chicago_Police Supt Eddie Johnson says they have the check #JussieSmollett wrote to the two brothers for $3500. Says it was staged, the brothers hit him a few times. But most of the injuries on #Smollett were âself-inflictedâ.
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.@Chicago_Police also confirmed this with me just now. #JussieSmollett
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Iâve covered press conferences with @Chicago_Police Supt Eddie Johnson before. That was the most demonstrative Iâve seen him. #JussieSmolett
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Schmidt adds her clients testified before a Grand Jury for about â2 and half hoursâ. #JussieSmollett
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.@Chicago_Police just now telling me this tip is âunfoundedâ. #JussieSmollett
#CPD confirm AP report theyâre investigating a tip that on the night #JussieSmollett reported being attacked by two masked men he was in an elevator of his apartment building with two brothers. @Chicago_Police are interviewing a witness who says he saw them all together.
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Itâs #ElectionDay in #Chicago. Polls predict that Lori Lightfootârunning as a political outsiderâ should win easy over #CookCounty Board President Toni Preckwinkle, unless a couple hundred thousand ballots are found in the trunk of a car.
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These past two weeks in #Chicago have been more dramatic than any Dick Wolf series. #JussieSmollett #RKelly #Aurorashooting
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#Breaking #CPD say no charges for 2 POI in #jussieSmollett. PD says itâs because of ânew evidenceâ they learned in interrogations. The 2 men have been released after 48 hours in custody and were not charged. @Chicago_Police say theyâre continuing to investigate.
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ASA Risa Lanier says #JuissieSmolett told police he told them his attackers âthe area around the persons eyes was whiteâ. #GMA interview âfurther misled the police and public to believe that his attackers were white.â
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Iâm curious where you are getting your information since you seem to know the truth of what happened. What are you sourcing that proves that @Chicago_Police are providing misinformation?
I realized today that Chicago âreporterâ @RaferWeigel is responsible for much of the misinformation disseminated by Chicago PD âsourcesâ about #JussieSmollett as he literally just repeats whatever the police say.
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Thanks for the write-up âŚ@SalenaZitoâŠ. âWhile national media carried water for Jussie Smollett, local media did it rightâ washingtonexaminer.com/opiniâŚ
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LA City attorney confirms to @fox32news #JussieSmollett in Aug â07 entered no contest to 3 misdeameanor counts driving w/ blood alcohol of .08 or above, no valid drivers license and providing false information to law enforcement. He
was sentenced to 2 years probation. #Smollett
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Might be best to tone down the outrage on the #JussieSmollett story until more evidence comes in to suggest it actually happened.
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie.
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#JussieSmollett lawyers have hired #Chicago based crisis management consultant
Anne Kavanagh. Iâm told she was also hired by former @Chicago_Police officer Jason Van Dyke who killed Laquan McDonald.
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I donât care what side of the political aisle youâre on-left or right, Dem or GOP. If youâre a politician and you shun or want to shut out certain media because you donât like the questions theyâre asking then you shouldnât be in that office, IMHO.
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Good for @nikkihaley for standing up for herself. Shame she even had to. Michael Wolff feeding an unsubstantiated rumor is not something a journalist does. If you know something that's sourced, say it. If not, keep your mouth shut.
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Schmidt says her clients have been granted âno immunity and no plea dealâ because he clients did nothing wrong. #JussieSmollett
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.@Chicago_Police tell us they will release at least four surveillance video clips of #JussieSmollettâs staged hate crime and several hand-written notes from detectives today. They were going to release the notes last week - but the redacting wasnât finished.
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#JussieSmollett waited 40 min after his alleged attack b4 a friend called 9-1-1. When police arrived he still had the rope around his neck & refused 2 turn over his cell phone, asked them 2 turn off their body cams. PD says he self-transported 2 hospital for a cut on his face
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Avenatti adds he has over 2 decades worth of evidence that will put #RKelly away and he âwill die in prisonâ. Claims there were offenses in âmultiple jurisdictions across the countryâ.
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(5/5) On the day Kim Foxx drops the charges on #Smollett she laughs over Supt Johnsonâs confusion: âEddie just called...Lol! Heâs a the police recruit event. Needed to know how to answer questions from press...He was told we were just dropping the charges.â
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Just saw the two brothersâ attorney Gloria Schmidt walk out of this door moments ago at the Cook County Courthouse at 26th and California. She said she is not able to comment at this time. #JussieSmollett
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.@ndaajustice blasts @SAKimFoxx re: #JussieSmollett "First, when a chief prosecutor rescuses him or herself the recusal must apply to the entire office not just the elected or appointed prosecutor. This is consistent w/ best practices for prosecutor's offices around the country"
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We are camped outside #ChicagoPD area central where police are questioning the persons of interest in the #JussieSmollett case. We should have an update on @fox32news at 9.
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Happy Birthday to the city of #Chicago and my late father, the great sportscaster #TimWeigel. It's fitting they both share the same birthday because no two entities were more intertwined. #HappyBirthdayChicago #HappyBirthdayDad #RIPDAD
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