The judge’s decision comes after three men — Richard Arline, Donnell Russell and Michael Williams — were arrested and charged in August for allegedly intimidating witnesses in Kelly’s New York City case.
Prosecutors alleged Richard Arline — who is a self-proclaimed friend of Kelly’s — offered $500,000 to an alleged victim in exchange for her to not cooperate with prosecutors in Kelly’s case.
Donnell Russell — who describes himself as a manager, advisor and friend of Kelly’s — allegedly threatened to reveal sexually explicit pictures of an alleged victim and publicly reveal her sexual history if she didn’t withdraw her civil suit.
While Michael Williams, who is a relative of someone who once served as Kelly’s publicist, was arrested for allegedly setting fire to an SUV parked outside the Florida residence where an alleged victim was staying back in June.
At the time, R. Kelly denied any involvement with the men.
His attorney, Steven Greenberg, said: “Without question, Robert Kelly had nothing to do with any of these alleged acts by those charged. He has not attempted to intimidate anyone or encouraged anyone else to do so. No involvement whatsoever.”
