Chicago Police have released the audio recording of Frank Gatson, Jussie Smollett’s manager, calling 911 the night of the hate crime prosecutors allege Smollett staged. While all criminal charges against Smollett have been dropped, he is still facing a lawsuit from the city of Chicago, and he will also not return to Empire for its final season. In the call, made 20 minutes after the actor was allegedly attacked, Gatson is heard summoning the police on Smollett’s behalf. He declines to name the actor, but he relays what Smollett had told him. “He states he went to Subway — and two guys — somebody jumped him or something like that,” Gatson tells the 911 operator. “I just want to report it and make sure he’s alright.” When the operator asks why the victim himself had not called, Gatson replies, “He was cool, he didn’t want me to call you guys.”
The operator goes on to explain that only Smollett would be able to actually file a report. “He’s definitely gonna make the report,” Gatson responds. “I’m gonna make him make the report.” Gatson also says in the recording that Smollett would not need an ambulance. “I just think he’s startled. I’m scared and I don’t know what it is. They put a noose around his neck,” he tells them. “They didn’t do anything with it, but put it around his neck. That’s pretty f–ked up to me. Sorry for saying it like that.”
