UPDATED 6:31 p.m. ET: Andy Grimm, a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, says R. Kelly has posted bond and will be released from Cook County Jail this evening. According to the Associated Press, Cook County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari confirmed the singer posted the required $100,000 bail.
Video of R. Kelly leaving jail after posting $100,000 bail was captured:
See original story below.
R. Kelly is now facing a new lawsuit from a woman who claims he sexually abused her when she was underage.
On Monday, TMZ reported that Heather Williams has filed a suit in Cook County, Illinois that details how the singer courted her in 1998 when she was just 16 years old. According to the documents, she and Kelly first spoke when he stopped his car to talk to her while she was walking in Chicago. Then, after a month of knowing the artist, Williams says Kelly began to sexually abuse her. Although the abuse is not detailed, she does say it continued until she was an adult. Now, Williams is seeking at least $50,000 in compensation.
This comes on the same day attorney Michael Avenatti announced that he will give the Cook County prosecutors a 2000 VHS tape that depicts Kelly having a sexual encounter with a minor. According to sources, this piece of child pornography features the same 14-year-old girl that was present in the original 1999 tape. Like the first video, throughout the 55-minute tape, Kelly is heard "coaching" the victim through several sex acts. In fact, he is even seen choking her as well as turning her face toward the camera for reaction shots.
As disturbing as this sounds, that tape will not be the last video submitted to evidence. Avenatti claims to be in the process of securing a third VHS showing Kelly having sex with another girl aged somewhere between 13-16.
As of now, R. Kelly is still in the Cook County jail after appearing in court Monday morning. At his hearing, Kelly pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts of sexual assault against him. Kelly's lawyer Steve Greenberg says his "confidants" are searching for ways to pay the $100,000 for bail. If his bond is not paid, then Kelly will remain in jail until his upcoming hearing next month on March 22.
