Critical new evidence surfaces in Jussie Smollett hoax case, could help prove Smollett's claims

Actor Jussie Smollett, who was arrested last week after allegedly orchestrating a fake hate crime against himself, has "hard evidence" to support his claim that he did not pay two Nigerian brothers to stage an attack against him.

What are the details?

When Chicago Police apprehended Smollett last week, charging him with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report, detectives revealed that part of the evidence against Smollett were $3,500 checks paid to brothers Olabinjo Osundairo, 27, and Abimbola Osundairo, 25.

But over the weekend, TMZ reported the checks were not for the alleged attack, a fact the brothers told a grand jury. Instead, the checks were reportedly related to Smollett receiving gym and nutrition training from the brothers.

On Sunday, TMZ obtained documents that confirm those claims. From TMZ:

TMZ has obtained documents that on the surface back his claim the $3,500 check he wrote to Abel was for training. The check was written to Abel on January 23, 2019, six days before the "attack." The memo line reads, "5 week Nutrition/Workout program Don't Go."

Sources connected to Jussie tell us, the reference to "Don't Go" is a song for which Jussie was going to shoot a music video ... featuring himself shirtless. The sources say Jussie had gained weight -- he was 192 lbs and needed to lose 20 pounds for the shoot, and that's why he hired Abel ... whom he says he calls "Bon."

Sources connected to Jussie say the $3,500 breakdown is as follows -- $600 a week for the workout plan for 5 weeks, and $100 a week for the nutrition plan for 5 weeks.

Additionally, TMZ also obtained text message screenshots that appear to corroborate claims that Smollett was being trained by the Osundairo brothers. The text messages include nutrition and training instructions.

The Osundairo brothers reportedly told a grand jury Smollett paid them for training and nutrition instruction.

View the check and text message evidence here.