Friday's statement from Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx comes two months after her office suddenly dropped all charges against Smollett accusing him of staging the January attack on himself. Foxx says rumors circulated as suspicions grew about Smollett's account of an attack that she was related to Smollett's family, so she recused herself to avoid "even the perception of a conflict." Earlier explanations focused on communications between Foxx and a family member of Smollett's. The release of documents Friday evening came as offices closed for the weekend. A court last week lifted an order barring their release.

Source: Fox News May 31, 2019 23:15 UTC