R. Kelly asserts unawareness of a crucial August 2023 ruling awarding six women $10.5 million in damages for alleged threats leading to the cancellation of a Surviving R. Kelly screening.
The artist claims that he lacked knowledge about the lawsuit and states that if he had been aware of its existence, he would have contested it. This information is derived from court documents that TMZ has acquired.
In the documents, Kelly argues that due to an overwhelming number of legal matters, he made changes to his legal representation, and this specific lawsuit likely slipped through the cracks. Kelly contends he was so engrossed in legal issues that he overlooked the case.
Furthermore, Kelly claims he is incapable of understanding legal matters, asserting that he cannot read or understand words beyond that of a grade schooler. He relies on his legal team to interpret and explain the implications of any lawsuits he may face.
The lawsuit targeted Kelly and his then-manager, Donnell Russell, accusing them of making threats to intimidate six women who participated in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries. Allegedly, the threats were intended to silence the women and discourage the producers of the series.
Kelly’s Extended Prison Term
The lawsuit specifically mentions an incident in December 2018, where a screening in New York City was abruptly halted after a member of Kelly’s team allegedly threatened to “shoot up” the venue.
In a curious twist, Kelly distances himself from responsibility, claiming that Russell was never his manager. He suggests that if Russell indeed made the threats leading to the disrupted screening, the blame should rest solely on Russell’s shoulders, as it was done for his own reasons. Notably, Russell received a one-year sentence related to this lawsuit.
R. Kelly, who is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking, is now confronted with the prospect of an extra 20 years behind bars due to an additional charge pertaining to child sex crimes.
The legal battles continue for the once-prominent R&B artist, whose career has been overshadowed by a cascade of serious legal challenges.
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