Sexual abuse victim R. Kelly is set to receive compensation from the disgraced singer.
A United States judge in Brooklyn, New York, has ruled that over $500,000 in royalties belong to the “Trapped in the Closet” hitmaker and are held by Universal Music Group [UMG] must be given to the victim to satisfy restitution and unpaid fines.
The decision comes months after Kelly was convicted of multiple counts of sex trafficking, child pornography and sexual exploitation of minors. He was transferred to a federal prison in North Carolina to begin his 20-year sentence.
R. Kelly Has More Than Enough Money To Make Up With His Victims
US District Judge Ann Donnelly issued an order on Wednesday, August 23, directing Universal Music Group to release the funds. This decision follows an order from Donnelly requiring Kelly to use nearly $28,000 from his jail inmate account to pay outstanding fines.
According to documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, the remaining restitution of convicted sex offenders is $506,950.26. Interestingly, UMG currently holds $567,444.19 in royalties, which easily exceeds the amount needed to pay off the debt.
In case you missed it, the singer was sentenced to 19 years in addition to time already served for crimes he committed against four individuals, three of whom were minors. Prosecutors have recommended an additional 25 years on top of the existing sentence.
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In this case, Kelly faces child pornography charges for her involvement with minors. He was found guilty of six of 13 child pornography charges while acquitted of conspiracy and enticement charges.
The US attorney leading the case, Jon Lausch, said during the sentencing that the King of R&B’s time in prison could range from 10 to 90 years, making the current 20-year sentence seem relatively light.
It should also be noted that he faces a 30-year prison sentence in New York City in June 2022. He is charged with nine federal charges, including sex crimes and human trafficking.
During the month-long trial, Kelly’s legal team presented current and former employees as witnesses to attest to his character and insist that they never witnessed him engaging in abusive behavior.
The witnesses, including managers, bodyguards and assistants, aimed to portray the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer in a positive light. As quoted by The Blast in February, one of his victims took the stand during this trial and stated:
“I have lost my dignity because of Robert Kelly. I have lost my dreams because of Robert Kelly. I have lost my youth to Robert Kelly.”
She also described the “You Are Not Alone” singer as “abusive and domineering,” adding that she believes her stigma in life “will forever be the girl that R Kelly pissed on.”
Author of ‘Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me’ Gets Support
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Amid the legal storm that has dogged Kelly’s musical legacy, her friend and fellow music heavyweight, Timbaland, has spoken out in her defense. According to a report by The Blast in May, the record producer, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, expressed his opinion that R. Kelly’s music should not be tied to his legal issues, claiming that he remains unmatched in his genre.
The “If We Ever Meet Again” hitmaker referred to his friend as the king of R&B and highlighted his position in the industry. The enlightening perspective, which came during a conversation on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast with Shannon Sharpe, saw Timbaland share:
“Everybody jumps when you say R. Kelly. I was like, so we’re just going to ignore the music that he gave us, that we all jam to?
Keeping his stance on the matter, the successful producer emphasized that listeners should realize how good music can overcome the personal challenges of its creators. For that, he stated:
“No, we can’t do that. His art is his art; I will not insult the man’s art. Don’t mix music with personal…. don’t bring drama into music. Leave that out.”
While Timbaland has unabashedly supported Kelly, other prominent entertainment figures, including Jada Pinkett Smith and Neyo, have publicly disapproved of her actions. They also advocated for the “I Wish” performer’s music to be removed from the streaming platform, following the #MuteKelly Campaign on Instagram in 2019, which gained traction after the release of the Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
