R. Kelly is a free man, for now. After spending the weekend in a Chicago jail, the embattled singer posted bail. According to Cook County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari, Kelly was able to post the $100,000 needed for bail after the judge set his bond amount at $1 million.
Hours before posting bail, Kelly pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Prosecutors believe that Kelly sexually abused four women, three of whom allegedly were minors at the time.
During a hearing on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, Kelly’s lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf to all 10 counts.
Attorney Michael Avenatti claimed that he held evidence of a video that featured Kelly engaged in sex with a girl who allegedly referred to her genitals as being 14 years old. The video was viewed by CNN and the Chicago Police Department.
Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenberg, denied the claims and told reporters after the bond hearing, “He’s [R. Kelly] a rock star. He doesn’t have to have nonconsensual sex.”
Kelly was forced to surrender his passport, causing him to end hopes of touring in Europe during April.
In early January, Kelly’s alleged sexual crimes came to a light with the debut of the Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly.” The film focused on the abuse Kelly experienced as a child; his controversial marriage to singer Aaliyah when she was only 15; his child pornography case stemming from a sex tape allegedly involving a 14-year-old girl; and accusations that the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer held women captive in his homes in Chicago and Atlanta.
If convicted on the latest charges, Kelly could face up to 70 years in prison.
