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After the massive fallout of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly documentary, reportedly a newer video of the singer engaging in sexual acts with an underage girl exists, according to Attorney Michael Avenatti. And it’s not the one used in Kelly’s 2008 trial when he was acquitted on child pornography charges. Avenatti represents the “whistleblower” and is said to “have worked for and has known R. Kelly for decades…and he met the girl on a number of occasions.” In a statement on Twitter, Avenatti also alleges, “Mr. Kelly engages in oral, anal and vaginal sex with the young girl in two separate rooms in his home on two separate days.”
Throughout the #MuteRKelly movement and singers like Tank, Omarion and Ne-Yo publicly condemning the accusations, Kelly has long since denied the decades-long allegations. His lawyer Steven Greenberg told Fox News, “I have not been contacted by anyone connected with law enforcement, nor has R Kelly. Mr. Kelly denies that he has engaged in any illegal conduct, of any kind whatsoever. He would like to be able to continue to write and sing and produce and perform. Unfortunately, as a result of a documentary that regurgitated long ago rejected claims, he has been adjudged guilty in the public eye. In this age of hashtags, we are too quick to rush to judgment simply because something is associated with a hashtag. A hashtag does not make claims credible.”
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“All of the claims by these women were brought forth years ago, rejected by the police, and/or rejected by the courts, but now for their own gain, they have rehashed them. Each of the women in that documentary are out for money, whether they have suddenly filed a lawsuit, they have all of a sudden released their own song, or they have written a book. Indeed, some of the women are going on a ‘Surviving R Kelly Tour,’ charging for people to hear them speak about their lives. Accuse R Kelly and boom, make a buck. There are three countries in the world where people are presumed guilty, China, North Korea, and Myanmar. Unfortunately, that is the standard of justice that is now being applied to R Kelly. In this country, people are entitled to presumption of innocence. Absent conclusive evidence, proof beyond reasonable doubt, I would ask that people follow the principles that make this country great. We will have no further comment. Thanks to all his fans and their support. He will continue to work on his album.”
We’ve said it time and time again, muting Kelly is almost impossible. But if the video does check out, “muting” may be the least of the 51-year-old’s problems. According to reports, Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, wouldn’t confirm or deny the office is investigating this new found evidence. We’ll keep you updated.
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