R. Kelly’s Denied Bail In Brooklyn Despite Lawyer’s Claim He’s Not A Flight Risk Because He’s ‘Dead Broke’

R. Kelly

R. Kelly’s Denied Bail In Brooklyn Despite Lawyer’s Claim He’s Not A Flight Risk Because He’s ‘Dead Broke’

R. Kelly’s latest request was for bail was shut down in Brooklyn Wednesday (Oct. 2).

The singer, who’s facing racketeering, kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a child charges was absent when Federal Justice Ann M. Donnelly denied his request, agreeing with prosecutors that Kelly is a potential flight risk who has obstructed justice in the past. Donnelly also ruled that a home detention Kelly’s lawyers suggested for him wasn’t enough to guarantee Kelly wouldn’t participate in any illegal behavior.

The main issue was whether Kelly had enough resources and money to become a flight risk if he were to be released.

His lawyer Steve Greenberg argued that Kelly  

“does not have great financial resources.”

He said that an “associate” offered a $3 million, Vatican surety bond that was allegedly signed with blood when Kelly was arrested in Chicago back in February. Greenberg said,

“These are the kind of people Robert has relied on for business.”

He added that the singer is

“dead broke.”

Still, on the flip side, prosecutors said Kelly’s claim of not having any money was completely false considering he still gets six-figure royalty payments regularly. He received $800,000 in April and another for nearly $100,000 shortly after.

Prosecutors accused Kelly of moving the money around and depositing it into a childhood friend’s account.

“The government’s investigation has revealed that earlier this year, the defendant redirected those funds into the bank account of a childhood friend. His lack of candor with the court regarding his financial resources is another factor that counsels against release.”

Greenberg then said the bank account was seized following a deposit of a $400,000 check.

It didn’t help Kelly’s case that his two live-in girlfriends, Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage looked into a trip to Dubai earlier this year, while Kelly was in and out of jail.

R. Kelly, Joycelyn Savage, Azriel Clary

His latest jail stint began in July when he was accused of dishing out $600,000 to cover up accusations that he was having sexual relations with several girls who were underaged. He’s accused of having the alleged victims call him “daddy” and paying off their parents to keep quiet. Kelly has also allegedly intimidated witnesses in the past, which served as another convincing argument to deny his bail.

Meanwhile, Kelly’s trial is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2020. While his hearing was in Brooklyn, Kelly is still serving time in a Chicago federal prison. In that city, he was charged with producing and receiving child pornography, and inducing minors to engage in sexual activity.

Do you think R. Kelly should have been granted bail? Tell us in the comments!