Share

The Latest: Avenatti says he expects feds to charge R. Kelly

Share

CHICAGO (AP) — The Latest on the sexual abuse case against R&B singer R. Kelly (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

R. Kelly’s lawyer says 11 new sex-related counts filed by Cook County prosecutors against the singer “are not really new.”

Prosecutors presented the new charges in a Thursday filing.

Defense lawyer Steve Greenberg said in a text that the allegations in the new filings are “are the same conduct … charged differently.” He added that it’s the “same alleged victim, same time frame, same facts.”

Trending:
KJP Panics, Hangs Up in Middle of Interview When Reporter Shows He Isn't a Democratic Party Propagandist

Greenberg has long said Kelly expected to prevail at trial. In his Thursday comment, he said he expects the “same results” with the latest charges.

Among the new charges are two counts of criminal sexual assault by force and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 to 16. They apparently pertain to a single victim.

Kelly was already facing 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse involving four women years ago, three of whom were minors at the time.

___

4:45 p.m.

Attorney Michael Avenatti says he expects R&B singer R. Kelly to face “serious federal charges” in the coming weeks.

Chicago prosecutors on Thursday charged Kelly with 11 new sex-related counts accusing him of coercing a minor into sex through threats or actual violence. Kelly was arrested in February and charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse pertaining to four women, including three who were underage when the alleged abuse occurred. The new charges pertain to one of those three women.

Avenatti told The Associated Press that he represents three Kelly victims, two parents and two whistleblowers, and that he has provided “significant evidence” against Kelly to federal prosecutors in multiple U.S. attorneys’ offices. He declined to say which districts would pursue the charges, but he said he and his clients have been cooperating with prosecutors “for the better part of four months.”

Avenatti faces his own serious federal charges, including ones accusing him of trying to shake down Nike and cheating his most famous client, porn star Stormy Daniels, out of $300,000.

Related:
Former MSNBC Host Chuck Todd Furious After Network Hires Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel

___

2:50 p.m.

Prosecutors in Chicago have charged R&B singer R. Kelly with 11 new sex-related counts, including some that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Cook County prosecutors filed the new charges against Kelly on Thursday. Among the new charges are four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual assault by force, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against a victim between the ages of 13 to 16. The charges apparently pertain to a single victim.

The four aggravated criminal sexual assault counts carry maximum terms of 30 years in prison.

Kelly was already facing 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse involving four women years ago, three of whom were minors when the alleged abuse occurred.

Kelly’s defense attorney, Steve Greenberg, didn’t immediately respond to an email from the AP seeking comment. He told the Sun-Times that he had received word of new charges from prosecutors but hadn’t seen any filings in the case. He did say he understood that the allegations are “from years ago.”

___

Check out all of the AP’s complete coverage of the investigation into R. Kelly.

The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
Share
The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter
The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.
Location
New York City




Conversation