Chicago top cop says Jussie Smollett faked attack because he was 'dissatisfied with his salary'

CHICAGO - Actor Jussie Smollett faked a threatening letter and then, a week later, staged a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago because he was "dissatisfied with his salary" on the "Empire" television show, Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson said Thursday morning.

Smollett paid two brothers he knew $3,500 to fake the attack in the 300 block of East North Water Street around 2 a.m. Jan. 29, Johnson said. The superintendent called the scheme "shameful" and wondered how an African-American could set up a racist attack for a "publicity stunt."

When investigators figured out the real motive behind the attack,