Many people were surprised by the abrupt announcement Tuesday by prosecutors that all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett were dropped. Among them, the former attorney for the brothers whose testimony was key to the case.

According to prosecutors and the Chicago Police Department, Smollett paid brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo $3,500 to carry out a staged attack on the actor. Smollett has vehemently denied this claim.

“The conclusion that I draw from all of this, was that the case was being handled and it got very, very messy,” saidGloria Schmidt, the former attorney for the Osundairo brothers. “And I’m not talking about from the police’s side or from my office or Mr. Smollett’s office. I don’t know what’s going on in the state’s attorney’s office, but something does not pass the smell test here.”

Schmidt says her clients were “absolutely” prepared to testify that Smollett paid them $3,500 to stage the attack. “From day one, they wanted to cooperate,” she said. “They were wanting to do the right thing.”

The brothers have not made any public comments since the charges were dropped.

You can watch our full interview with Schmidt above.

Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter:@paschutz

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