Prosecutors investigating R. Kelly are looking into a new video that appears to show the singer sexually assaulting a minor.
In a statement published today, attorney Michael Avenatti revealed the discovery of a VHS tape of Kelly "engaging in multiple sexual assaults of a girl underage." He added that the "conclusive video evidence" is different from that used as evidence in Kelly's 2002 child pornography trial, for which he was acquitted in 2008.
A senior law enforcement official told The New Yorker that the videotape "may soon lead to [Kelly's] indictment in Illinois," with reporter Jim DeRogatis further writing that "a law enforcement official said that an indictment is pending and Kelly could be arrested soon."
CNN has confirmed the existence of the tape and its details, describing the 45 minutes of footage as "clear and explicit." Please be warned that the following descriptions from the network includes graphic details:
There are two scenes on the video: one apparently in a living room and another in a bedroom. A naked man who appears to be R. Kelly is seen performing multiple sex acts with the girl. She is heard calling him "daddy" multiple times.
It is impossible to know her age just from the video. They both refer to her "14-year-old p***y." Six times the girl refers to her genitalia as 14 years old.
At one point, the man asks the girl to urinate. After she does, he urinates on her.
Avenatti told CNN, "my client knows the identity of the girl and R. Kelly. He identified the two of them on the videotape. He worked for and has known R. Kelly for decades and he met the girl on a number of occasions."
Steve Greenberg, Kelly's attorney, told CNN, "We are unaware of any new information involving Mr. Kelly. We have not been contacted by anyone. We have not been informed about any new information by anyone and we have not been contacted by law enforcement."
Tandra R. Simonton, chief communications officer for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, told CNN, "we cannot confirm or deny an investigation."
The history of accusations made against R. Kelly were recently chronicled in Lifetime series Surviving R. Kelly. In the wake of the series, artists such as Chance the Rapper, Lady Gaga and Phoenix have apologized for past collaborations with the singer. Kelly was also dropped by Sony Music.
You can read Avenatti's complete statement below.
In a statement published today, attorney Michael Avenatti revealed the discovery of a VHS tape of Kelly "engaging in multiple sexual assaults of a girl underage." He added that the "conclusive video evidence" is different from that used as evidence in Kelly's 2002 child pornography trial, for which he was acquitted in 2008.
A senior law enforcement official told The New Yorker that the videotape "may soon lead to [Kelly's] indictment in Illinois," with reporter Jim DeRogatis further writing that "a law enforcement official said that an indictment is pending and Kelly could be arrested soon."
CNN has confirmed the existence of the tape and its details, describing the 45 minutes of footage as "clear and explicit." Please be warned that the following descriptions from the network includes graphic details:
There are two scenes on the video: one apparently in a living room and another in a bedroom. A naked man who appears to be R. Kelly is seen performing multiple sex acts with the girl. She is heard calling him "daddy" multiple times.
It is impossible to know her age just from the video. They both refer to her "14-year-old p***y." Six times the girl refers to her genitalia as 14 years old.
At one point, the man asks the girl to urinate. After she does, he urinates on her.
Avenatti told CNN, "my client knows the identity of the girl and R. Kelly. He identified the two of them on the videotape. He worked for and has known R. Kelly for decades and he met the girl on a number of occasions."
Steve Greenberg, Kelly's attorney, told CNN, "We are unaware of any new information involving Mr. Kelly. We have not been contacted by anyone. We have not been informed about any new information by anyone and we have not been contacted by law enforcement."
Tandra R. Simonton, chief communications officer for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, told CNN, "we cannot confirm or deny an investigation."
The history of accusations made against R. Kelly were recently chronicled in Lifetime series Surviving R. Kelly. In the wake of the series, artists such as Chance the Rapper, Lady Gaga and Phoenix have apologized for past collaborations with the singer. Kelly was also dropped by Sony Music.
You can read Avenatti's complete statement below.
In response to press inquiries, attached is a stmt regarding our work on the R. Kelly matter since April, including the discovery of new critical video evidence establishing his guilt. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that this predator is brought to justice. pic.twitter.com/D0dGFzgXlX
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) February 14, 2019
