Cops investigating tip Jussie Smollett seen with brothers night of alleged attack

Chicago police received a tip on Tuesday that Jussie Smollett and the two brothers connected to his alleged hate attack were spotted together around the same time of the beatdown.

A tipster called police saying they believed they saw the “Empire” star with Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo in an elevator at the North Water Apartments, where the actor lives — possibly after the assault happened on Jan. 29.

“Detectives were sent this morning to validate that tip and investigate it,” said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. “They are investigating it. It is unconfirmed. We haven’t validated it.”

Guglielmi said investigators plan to interview the man.

Smollett claims he was attacked steps away from where he lives in the tony Streeterville neighborhood in the Windy City. He said two strangers shouted homophobic and racist slurs, as well as “This is MAGA country!” before dousing him in possibly bleach and tossing a rope around his neck.

But reports have since emerged claiming he offered to pay the Osundairos $4,000 to stage the attack — because a threatening letter he received the week before didn’t garner enough attention.

The buff brothers, budding actor-models who have worked on “Empire,” considered backing out of the planned attack, sources close to the investigation told CBS’s Chicago affiliate on Tuesday.

The pair took a ride share to near the location of the attack on North Water Street and appeared nervous in the car’s surveillance camera, sources said.

The Osundairos, who got there before Smollett, were also seen sitting on a bench. The actor arrived a short time later.

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