Michael Avenatti Says He Has New Video Evidence Against R. Kelly

Lawyer says he has handed over tape showing singer having sex with underage girl
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 14, 2019 4:19 PM CST
Stormy Daniels' Attorney Says He Has New Video Evidence Against R. Kelly
This June 13, 2008 file photo shows R&B singer R. Kelly, arriving at 3the Cook County Criminal Court Building in Chicago.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Attorney Michael Avenatti said Thursday he has given Chicago prosecutors new video evidence of R&B star R. Kelly having sex with an underage girl, the AP reports. Avenatti said the video isn't the same evidence used in Kelly's 2008 trial, when he was acquitted on child pornography charges. CNN reported the nearly 45-minute VHS tape shows a man appearing to be Kelly performing sex acts with a girl who refers to her body parts as 14 years old. Tandra Simonton, spokeswoman for Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, wouldn't confirm or deny the office is investigating. Kelly and his attorney have for years denied allegations of sexual misconduct involving women and underage girls. His attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday on the latest allegations.

Avenatti is best known for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in a lawsuit against President Trump. He said his office was retained in April 2018 by multiple people regarding allegations of sexual assault of minors by Kelly, whose legal name is Robert Kelly. Avenatti said the video surfaced during a 10-month investigation that included witness interviews and examination of documents and evidence throughout the US. He told the AP the person who provided the tape knew both Kelly and the female in the video. He also said he didn't know where the person had kept the video or why they hadn't provided it to law enforcement previously. Foxx asked potential victims to come forward last month after Lifetime aired the documentary Surviving R. Kelly, which revisited the allegations against Kelly and put a spotlight on new ones. (Kelly just announced a tour.)

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