CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on the charges against singer R. Kelly (all times local):
1:15 p.m.
Attorney Michael Avenatti says that he now represents three victims of singer R. Kelly, three whisleblowers who have information about the case and three parents of victims.
Speaking at a press conference in Chicago Monday, Avenatti says that at least one of the whistleblowers made copies of the tapes that Avenatti ultimately turned over to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx .
The celebrity lawyer also says that Kelly paid a 14-year-old girl he had sex with and her family $2 million to buy their silence as well as relocate them out of the Chicago area.
Avenatti himself faces mounting legal problems. He was charged in March with trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike by threatening to go public with claims that the sportwear company was facilitating improper payouts to promising young athletes and their families.
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11 a.m.
A federal court hearing for R&B singer R. Kelly has been pushed back a day and will instead be held Tuesday when the singer was expected to be arraigned.
Federal judges were supposed to meet Monday in Chicago to figure how to proceed in the case that involves separate indictments out of Chicago and New York. According to a judge’s order they’ll discuss the details Tuesday afternoon.
Kelly is expected in court.
The 52-year-old was arrested last week on a 13-count indictment that includes sex crimes and obstruction of justice. A federal indictment was also unsealed in New York that charges him with racketeering and sex-related crimes.
Kelly remains in federal custody. Federal prosecutors want him to stay there, arguing he’s dangerous and a flight risk.
His attorney denies the allegations.
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