July 25, 2017
A recent investigation unraveled a horrific set of allegations against R. Kelly, most notably his alleged role in spearheading an abusive “cult” that keeps several young women held captive, controlled and separated from their families.
This isn’t the musician’s first time being accused of abuse. In the 1990s and early 2000s, after a brief marriage with then-15-year-old singer Aaliyah, Kelly was sued multiple times by different women after allegedly engaging in sexual relationships with them while they were underage. He made significant headlines in 2002 after being charged with 21 counts of child pornography.
In light of last week’s allegations, Kelly has tapped Monique Pressley for his legal team, the Daily Mail first reported.
The Washington, D.C.-based lawyer is best known for previously representing Bill Cosby following the public resurgence of sexual abuse allegations against the comedian in 2014 and 2015.
Though Pressley had steadfastly defended him in interviews and on social media during her time on his legal team, she stepped down from representing Cosby in 2016.
She never commented on leaving the case.
Following BuzzFeed’s report, Kelly's primary lawyer, Linda Mensch, released a statement to People.
“Mr. Robert Kelly is both alarmed and disturbed by the recent revelations attributed to him,” she wrote in the statement. “Mr. Kelly unequivocally denies such accusations and will work diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name.”
The investigation was written by Jim DeRogatis, a former reporter for the Jersey Journal who went on to cover R. Kelly throughout much of his career as a music critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.
