R. Kelly Faces Lawsuit from Six Victims Over $9.9 Million Judgment
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R. Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer who is currently behind bars, is facing a new lawsuit from six victims who are seeking over $9.9 million that they claim he owes them from a 2022 judgment. The victims, who previously won a $10.3 million judgment against Kelly, allege that he still owes them a significant portion of the sum. According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Kelly was ordered in August 2023 to pay the plaintiffs – Lizette Martinez, Lisa Van Allen, Kelly Rodgers, Faith Rodgers, Roderick Gartell, and Gem Pratts – a combined amount of over $5.1 million in compensatory damages and over $4.5 million in punitive damages, plus interest. The ongoing legal battle was first reported by The New York Post.
The lawsuit, filed on January 31, also names Kelly’s former record label, Universal Music, sublabel Universal Music-Z Tunes, and revenue sharing platform IndyBuild as defendants, alongside Kelly’s former manager, Donnell Russell. The plaintiffs allege that despite the termination of Kelly’s co-publishing agreement with the label in March 2019, the company is still responsible for collecting revenues and royalties for the singer’s compositions delivered during the agreement period. However, representatives of both sides have not yet provided comments on the latest developments.
Two of the plaintiffs, Martinez and Van Allen, have previously shared their experiences of alleged abuse by Kelly. Martinez, who first met Kelly in 1995 at the age of 17, described a troubling relationship with the singer in pursuit of a music career. Van Allen, who encountered Kelly in 1998 at a video shoot when she was also 17, recounted her experiences and later testified against him in a child pornography trial in 2008. These stories were also featured in the 2019 Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”
In addition to the ongoing legal battles, Kelly is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following convictions for child pornography and enticement of minors. These convictions came after earlier sentencing for racketeering and sex trafficking charges, resulting in a total sentence of 30 years. Kelly is projected to be eligible for release in 2045 after serving 19 years of his concurrent sentences.
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At this time, the legal proceedings involving R. Kelly continue to unfold, shedding light on the impact of his actions on his victims and the ongoing pursuit of justice in these complex cases.
Remember to always seek help and support if you or someone you know has been affected by abuse or trauma, as addressing these issues is crucial for healing and moving forward.