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R. Kelly Suing Over His Confiscated Commissary

March 20, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly in Court federal child pornography

In a legal tangle that continues to unfold, R&B singer R. Kelly finds himself fighting to reclaim $28,000 confiscated from his prison commissary account, a sum that was seized and used as restitution for one of his victims. This development is part of the ongoing saga following Kelly’s high-profile legal troubles and subsequent incarceration.

According to reports from Hip Hop DX, which accessed court documents, a hearing concerning the dispute over the commissary funds was scheduled for Monday, March 18. The proceedings saw Assistant United States Attorney Kayla Bensing representing the interests of the United States against the embattled musician’s claims.

The roots of this financial conflict trace back to a series of court decisions aimed at compensating Kelly’s victims. In March 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of Heather Williams, granting her access to R. Kelly’s label fund. This fund, reportedly valued at $1.5 million in 2020 according to Billboard, became a source of restitution before Midwest Commercial Funding, a property manager, secured a separate $3.5 million ruling against Kelly over unpaid rent for a Chicago studio.

In a significant move in August of the same year, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly ordered that Kelly and his label, Universal Music Group, surrender more than $500,000 in royalties. This order also included the directive for Kelly to hand over the $28,000 in his prison canteen account, emphasizing the legal system’s efforts to ensure Kelly’s victims receive restitution.

The announcement of the livestream link for the hearing noted, “The defendant is appealing his conviction and the government’s seizure of his substantial Bureau of Prisons commissary account to satisfy the financial penalties imposed in the case.” It further stated that each side would be allotted ten minutes to present their arguments, underscoring the limited time frame to address such a complex issue.

The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly add another chapter to the already tumultuous legal history of R. Kelly.

Thoughts?

The post R. Kelly Suing Over His Confiscated Commissary first appeared on The Source.

The post R. Kelly Suing Over His Confiscated Commissary appeared first on The Source.

R. Kelly’s Attorney Cites Fraternity Culture While Requesting Sentencing Reduction

March 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly Reportedly Denied Conjugal Visits With Both Girlfriends

Incarcerated crooner R. Kelly is looking for a reduction in his 30-year prison sentence, and his lawyer mentioned frat culture during her appeal request.

In an appeals court hearing yesterday(March 18), attorney Jennifer Bonjean said college fraternities could also be considered racketeering organizations under the law that Kelly was convicted of. The law was used when he was found guilty of three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement.

MSN reported that Bonjean tried to convince judges that prosecutors misused a racketeering statute that was meant to shut down organized crime to convict R. Kelly in her attempt to get him a new trial or reverse the 2021 convictions.

She said it was unfair prosecutors charged Kelly with leading a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) enterprise from 1994 to 2018.

“This was not a collection of people who had a purpose to recruit girls for sexual abuse or child pornography,” she said. “Whether they turned a blind eye, whether some of them suspected that some of these girls were underage, that’s a whole different matter. And once we get into that sort of territory, where we’re going to say that constitutes a RICO enterprise, well we have a lot of organizations — we have a lot of frat houses — we have all types of organizations that are now going to become RICO enterprises.”

Assistant U.S. attorney Kayla Bensing stated that Kelly’s network of aides and employees was part of his “system in place that lured young people into his orbit” before he “took over their lives.”

TheSource.com will update this story as more details develop.

The post R. Kelly’s Attorney Cites Fraternity Culture While Requesting Sentencing Reduction first appeared on The Source.

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R. Kelly Appeal Update: Attorney Claims State Is Pushing RICO Charges Too Far

March 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly is still fighting for his presumed innocence in federal appeals court, and on Monday (March 18), his attorney took aim at the framework that seeks justice for his crimes. Moreover, Jennifer Bonjean argued that the prosecution stretched out RICO laws “to the point of absurdity,” meaning that they misconstrued many aspects of this case for criminal gang activity. Not only that, but she believes this could set a dangerous precedent moving forward when it comes to other groups and crimes that RICO could wrongfully cover. During a hearing for the Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit, Bonjean told a judge panel that his employees were just staffers who did their job, not co-conspirators pushing crimes as RICO outlines.

Furthermore, she believes prosecutors were “preposterous” in their invocation of RICO laws to convict R. Kelly, a conviction and framework that she seeks to reverse. “The government has extended the RICO statute to a set of circumstances that is so beyond what the framers intended, which was to get at organized crime,” Jennifer Bonjean expressed. “Now, we’re talking about an organization with an alleged criminal, but not organized crime.” The singer’s 2021 conviction on nine RICO charges referenced his organized and long-running plot to gather and take advantage of women, both of age and underage. For this and much more, he received a 30-year prison sentence in 2022.

R. Kelly Performing In 2013

R. Kelly Appeal Case Attorney RICO Sexual Abuse Music News — R. Kelly performs onstage at the 2013 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

Regardless, at Monday’s hearing Jennifer Bonjean claimed that R. Kelly’s employees knew nothing of these crimes. Since the government could not prove otherwise, she argued, then RICO laws and convictions shouldn’t apply here. “The defendant had a system in place that lured young people into his orbit and then took over their lives,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Kayla Crews Bensing counter-argued. She brought up evidence that the disgraced R&B star’s team knew enough of what was going on, including testimony that one of his colleagues approached a 16-year-old at a McDonald’s, gave her his number, and told her to call him. In addition, another employee alleged to have answered phones for the Chicago native’s “girlfriends,” and according to this worker, some of them were “mid-aged teenagers.”

“This is all evidence that the jury was entitled to infer that Kelly’s inner circle knew what was going on: that he was recruiting and maintaining underage women for sexual activity,” Bensing stated. While federally overturned convictions, Bonjean achieved this for Bill Cosby back in 2021 for similar crimes. After Monday’s hearing, which comprised of a lot of legal muddy water, the court will decide on this appeal in the next few months. “RICO is looking at organizations, that are then used to commit criminal acts,” Judge Denny Chin remarked. “It doesn’t have to be a criminal organization. It could be a completely legitimate organization. But if it engages in racketeering activity, it violates RICO.” For more news and updates on R. Kelly, stay posted on HNHH.

[via]

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[WATCH] Jazze Pha Talks R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Biggie, Michael Jackson And More

March 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

This week on Country Rap Tunes Podcast, Cory Mo & Kimberly Jones talk to the Legend himself Jazze Pha. They talk about his younger years growing up in the music industry. Working with R Kelly, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot, Ciara, UGK, Biggie, 2 Pac, Michael Jackson and much more. Jevon Dewand of the “Trap Stars” also joined in to talk about his new project ventures & how to live life the right way. This episode will inspire you to be motivated at what ever it is that you do in life. Ep. 1 Season 2.

The post [WATCH] Jazze Pha Talks R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Biggie, Michael Jackson And More first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Jazze Pha Talks R. Kelly, Aaliyah, Biggie, Michael Jackson And More appeared first on The Source.

R. Kelly Picked Up A Girl At A High School, Chicago Man Alleges In Wild Story

March 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly continues to be a controversial part of pop culture, with people either lamenting or celebrating his fall from grace due to his convicted crimes. Moreover, stories of his alleged behavior before this became common knowledge have become pretty common over the past decade or so. Now, we have an example of a Chicago man who recently spoke on a podcast about an alleged moment in which the R&B singer pulled up to a high school to pick up a girl. Folks in the replies had a wide range of reactions, including similar accusations, outright denial of these rumors, and jokes about the situation.

“We outside, we posted up, we all kicking it,” the man began concerning this R. Kelly story. “Me and my best friends, all of us. We outside just kicking it. Man… next thing you know, you just see a banana yellow Hummer pull up on spinners. Before he even get out the car, you just hear *starts singing*. You hear, ‘I’m a gigolo, always on the go.’ He get out the car. Yes, [he was bumping his own music]! He pop out with the face mask and the white durag on his head.

Chicago Man’s R. Kelly High School Story: Watch

“So there was this female in my hood,” he continued his R. Kelly claims. “We can just say her name Pinky ’cause she was short, thick, and light-skinned. Y’all know who I’m talking about. Everybody choosing up; who they going home with, who they finna go eat Joe’s Pizza with, who they finna go home and do homework with. All that, just whatever, just choosing up. Next thing you know, we see her just walk over to the homie. R. Kelly just hug her, we like, ‘What?!’

“The security at school [was like], ‘And that’s why you gon’ go to jail, boy! Boy, you know you ain’t supposed to be up here!’” he concluded. “But this Chicago, though. So it’s a joke, but we serious. ‘Boy, you going to jail, boy. You out here picking up jail bait! And here we are years later, he’s in jail.” For more news and the latest updates on R. Kelly, stick around on HNHH.

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Drea Kelly Net Worth 2024: What Is R. Kelly’s Choreographer Ex-Wife Worth?

January 26, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drea Kelly’s journey through the realms of dance and entertainment is a compelling tale of empowerment. She is primarily known as a choreographer and dancer. However, Kelly has also made a mark through her appearances on reality television and her advocacy work. By 2024, her diverse career engagements, coupled with her work in the entertainment industry, have contributed to a net worth of $5 million, as stated by Allfamousbirthday. This further denotes her multifaceted impact in the arts and beyond.

The Rhythm Of Life: Kelly’s Artistic Endeavors

Drea Kelly’s ascent in the entertainment industry began with her passion and skill in dance. Her remarkable abilities as a choreographer and dancer led her to work with high-profile artists. This further showcased her talent on various platforms. Her foray into reality television included shows like Hollywood Exes. It also allowed audiences to see a different aspect of her personality and life, broadening her appeal and reach. Kelly’s commitment to her craft and her ability to adapt to different roles within the entertainment industry highlight her versatility and resilience.

Spotlight & Strength: Recognizing Kelly’s Contributions

Throughout her career, Drea Kelly has been recognized for her contributions to dance and entertainment. Her work as a choreographer has earned her acclaim in the dance community, and her presence on television has resonated with viewers for its authenticity and relatability. Beyond her professional achievements, her role as an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse speaks to her strength and dedication to empowering others through her experiences.

Beyond The Stage: Kelly’s Personal Journey & Advocacy

Away from the public eye, Drea Kelly’s life is a testament to her resilience and multifaceted nature. Her advocacy work, particularly in raising awareness about domestic violence, is driven by her personal experiences and her commitment to supporting others. Her journey, including navigating challenges and finding her voice as an advocate and entertainer, paints a picture of a woman committed to growth, empowerment, and positive change.

Overall, Drea Kelly’s rise has skillfully balanced her artistic talents with her role as an advocate and television personality. Her career, marked by her achievements in dance and her influential presence in media, is complemented by her dedication to advocacy, establishing her as a significant figure in both the arts and social empowerment.

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R. Kelly Challenges $10.5 Million Judgment in ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Bomb Threat Lawsuit

January 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Incarcerated R&B singer R. Kelly is pushing back against a significant judgment in a lawsuit where six women claimed they were victimized by him and his associate, Donnell Russell. The lawsuit, which awarded $10.5 million to the plaintiffs in August, centered around the alleged orchestration of a bomb threat to shut down a private screening of the ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ docuseries in December 2018.

According to recent reports by TMZ, R. Kelly contends that he was not aware of the lawsuit and, therefore, should not be held accountable for the judgment. New legal documents obtained by TMZ reveal Kelly’s defense, asserting that he would have defended himself if he had known about the proceedings.

The singer claims that he is grappling with numerous criminal cases and prosecutions, along with a barrage of recent lawsuits, making it difficult for him to keep track of legal matters from his prison cell in North Carolina. Kelly further argues that he has changed legal teams since being incarcerated, suggesting that this particular lawsuit might have been overlooked or not delivered to him behind bars.

Kelly states that he cannot read or understand documents beyond a grade school level. He asserts that he relies on his lawyers to interpret legal matters for him. This claim raises questions about his capacity to comprehend and respond to legal proceedings effectively.

Moreover, Kelly challenges the assertion that Donnell Russell, his former manager, played a role in attempting to stop the ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ screening with a mass shooting threat. Kelly denies asking Russell to take such action and claims ignorance about Russell’s alleged efforts.

Kelly’s defense suggests that if Russell did make a mass shooting threat, it was done for Russell’s personal reasons and not at the singer’s behest. This raises questions about the dynamics of Kelly’s relationship with Russell and the extent of his involvement in the events surrounding the lawsuit.

While the $10.5 million judgment hangs in the balance, R. Kelly is making it clear that he does not believe he is responsible for the alleged actions leading to the lawsuit.

Thoughts?

The post R. Kelly Challenges $10.5 Million Judgment in ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Bomb Threat Lawsuit first appeared on The Source.

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R. Kelly Combats $10.5M Judgment, Believes He is Not Responsible for Threat Against ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Screening

January 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly is combatting a judgment in a lawsuit by women who stated he victimized them. According to TMZ, six women were awarded a collective $10.5 million for the attempted shutdown of the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries screening with his former manager, Donnell Russell.

In response, Kelly and his legal team stated they would have combatted the case if they were unaware. Kelly states he was too busy with the criminal cases and has difficulty keeping up with everything from his North Carolina prison cell.

Adding to the complexities of his situation, R. Kelly stated a transition in his legal representation may have also let lawsuits slip through the cracks. Kelly states he also relies on legal reps when he has them because “I cannot read or understand words beyond that of a grade schooler.”

R. Kelly also states Donnell operated independently and “for his own reasons.”

In November, R. Kelly initiated a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons, claiming the agency leaked his private information to Tasha K.

The suit was filed in Chicago gedeal court, stating an agent at the Bureau of Prisons accessed the singer’s prison records, which also had phone calls with his lovers and lawyers, and sold them to Tasha K. Tasha K then used them online to her followers.

“The defendant United States of America breached its duty of care to the plaintiff when it allowed countless BOP officers to access plaintiff’s confidential information without any legal basis to do so,” Kelly’s lawyer Jennifer Bonjean filed, according to Billboard.

Tasha K is also listed in the suit, stating she used her following to “harass the plaintiff” and caused “chaos in the plaintiff’s personal life.”

The suit also states that R. Kelly is fearful of speaking with his team due to the possibility it could be “released to the general public for mass exploitation.”

In August, R. Kelly wrapped up his most recent restitution bill. Following his high-profile criminal cases, Kelly still owed $506,950.26 to his victims. His next royalty check will cover the bill.

According to TMZ, Universal Music Group’s payout to R. Kelly was 567,444.19, more than enough to cover his remaining bill. Before the remainder goes elsewhere, UMG will direct a check to his restitution.

The post R. Kelly Combats $10.5M Judgment, Believes He is Not Responsible for Threat Against ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Screening first appeared on The Source.

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R. Kelly Claims Ignorance Over $10.5 Million Lawsuit Against Him For Shooting Threat

January 15, 2024 by newhiphopnews

R. Kelly’s legal trouble continues to mount and mount, this time over a lawsuit that he allegedly was never aware of. Moreover, according to new court documents reportedly obtained by TMZ, he blasted a $10.5 million August judgement awarded against him to a group of women. The judge in this case oversaw the case of six females who sued the artist and his alleged former manager Donnell Russell for reportedly sabotaging and shutting down a New York City screening of the Surviving R. Kelly docu-series in December of 2018 by threatening a mass shooting. He supposedly expressed that, if he was aware of the suit in the first place, he would have defended himself.

As such, it seems like this $10.5 million sum is a default judgement based on R. Kelly’s failure to respond, although that’s just an assumption. Given his response, though, it would make sense that said outcome was what won the lawsuit for the six women in this case and time. Regardless, this also follows a pattern of legal pushback from the Chicago native against endeavors against him. For example, he sued Tasha K and various prison workers last year for allegedly leaking information about him.

R. Kelly At A 2019 Chicago Hearing

R Kelly Lawsuit Surviving Screening Threat Response Hip Hop News — CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Singer R. Kelly appears during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on September 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Kelly is facing multiple sexual assault charges and is being held without bail. (Photo by Antonio Perez – Pool via Getty Images)

Back to this specific judgement, though, R. Kelly reportedly expressed that he’s simply overwhelmed by the many lawsuits and cases against him, which he can’t handle from his North Carolina prison cell. Beyond the sheer quantity, another reason he cited is the many changes in his legal team as of late, which caused him to completely miss the lawsuit. In addition, the 57-year-old said he “cannot read or understand words beyond that of a grade schooler,” so he wouldn’t have been able to understand the suit in the first place without solid legal counsel. As the final cherry atop the excuse sundae this time around, he claimed Russell was never his manager and that, if he tried to stop the Surviving screening without Kelly, he did it “for his own reasons,” not on his orders.

Meanwhile, we’ll see if there are any reversals or double-downs in this case. The pop culture world continues to discuss this situation, whether it’s for a morbid laugh or for a serious conversation on abuse of power. Surely, it’s too big of a case for it to slow down anytime soon. For more news and the latest updates on R. Kelly, come back to HNHH.

[via]

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Tory Lanez, R. Kelly & More Celebrity Prisoners’ Christmas Meals Revealed

December 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Thanks to a new TMZ report, we know how a couple of celebrity convicts like Tory Lanez and R. Kelly are spending their holidays behind bars. You might’ve caught similar coverage around Thanksgiving, as the end of a criminal case in pop culture by no means diminishes public interest in it. Sure, this is admittedly quite the voyeuristic approach, but also one that reminds folks of people’s humanity and mind state during a time in which we’re looking for joy and healing. Whether it’s Cornish hens, cornbread, or gravy, Christmas provided a silver lining for these folks. Hopefully they continue to hold themselves accountable for their crimes and can grow past their history.

Furthermore, Tory Lanez got quite the menu at California Correctional Institution Tehachapi. Reportedly, he received carrot and pineapple salad, pineapple-glazed ham, mixed vegetables, beef gravy, mashed potatoes, a dinner roll, ice cream, and a blueberry crisp. As for the rapper and singer’s current legal status, we recently got to see a new picture of him behind bars. Regardless of all the drama and conflict surrounding his conviction, he put on a smile and is hopefully having the best time he can while doing his time.

R. Kelly Performing In 2013

Tory Lanez R Kelly Christmas Meals Prisoners Jail Hip Hop News — LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: R. Kelly performs onstage during R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons at the 2013 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET)

In addition to Tory Lanez, we also got reports of what R. Kelly got for his Christmas meal at FCI Butner Medium I in North Carolina. This included Cornish hens, cream of broccoli, mashed and sweet potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots, cornbread dressing, dinner rolls, and a pecan pie. However, when it comes to his time in the pen, it seems like he is facing more uphill battles than expected, although the deservedness of this is hard to deny. For example, the R&B artist sued prison workers and Tasha K for allegedly being part of a scheme to leak information concerning his case.

Meanwhile, you can check out the “Via” link below to see meals for Harvey Weinstein and more. At these facilities, they will often do special activities or get-togethers for the holidays to give inmates some form of reprieve. As some of these cases continue to develop, we hope that these meals come with newfound retribution and reflection this season. For more news and updates on Tory Lanez and R. Kelly, come back to HNHH.

[via]

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