“Surviving R. Kelly” Docu-Series Spurs Investigation into Singer

A recent docu-series about R. Kelly airing on Lifetime television has resulted in renewed law enforcement interest in the 52-year-old singer. The three-part series features multiple women alleging they were part of the singer’s notorious sex cult, with some mentioning seeing other girls and women on Kelly’s property against their will.

“Surviving R. Kelly” documents allegations of sexual abuse, predatory behavior and pedophilia against the singer. It features interviews and accounts from both Kelly’s accusers and close friends, regarding the many accusations that have surrounded the singer for years. The three episodes of the series aired in early January and were damning enough that law enforcement has expressed interest in the claims.

Calls for investigations in two major cities

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx called a news conference in Chicago on January 9, saying she was “sickened” by the allegations in the series and urged anyone with information about sexual abuse by Kelly in Cook County to talk to prosecutors. “This isn’t one of those situations where it’s just forensics,” she said. “We need actual witnesses and victims to have the courage to tell their stories.”

Additionally, CNN reports that the Fulton County District Attorney in Georgia has also reached out to the family of Joycelyn Savage, one of the women featured in the docu-series. Savage’s family has alleged that their daughter is one of Kelly’s sex cult victims. In a darker twist, Timothy Savage (Kelly’s father) recently filed a police report alleging Kelly’s manager, Don Russell, threatened him for participating in the documentary.

History of sexual abuse?

This is not the first time R. Kelly has been involved in a child sex abuse scandal. In 2002, Kelly was indicted on 21 charges of child pornography in Chicago for a videotape that allegedly showed him having sex with an unidentified underage girl. The trial went on for six years before he was acquitted of all charges.

Other past allegations against Kelly, according to Rolling Stone magazine, include falsifying documents to marry an underage girl, inappropriate sexual contact with minors, sex tapes with a minor, sexual harassment, and running a sex cult.

Kelly’s legal team believes the calls for witnesses or accusers to come forward are “ridiculous.”

“There’s nothing there,” said his attorney Steve Greenberg. “When you fish for this kind of stuff the riff raff come out and you end up with wrongful accusations.” He also waved away the allegations as “another round of stories” being used to “fill reality TV time.”

Sexual abuse and assault can happen anywhere and be perpetrated by anyone, no matter how famous they are. This particular documentary was able to shine a light on an alleged sexual predator with the hope that victims will step forward and the right people will be brought to justice.

The Los Angeles injury attorneys at Taylor & Ring are here to support you as a survivor of sexual assault. We are experienced, compassionate, but strong and tenacious when it counts. Get in touch with us today for skilled representation. Call 310.776.6390 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation.