Singer, R. Kelly, was unable to meet with his lawyers because of the coronavirus outbreak.
According to TMZ, the 53-year old was due to see his legal team last week at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, where he is currently behind bars following his new federal charges in New York, but the lawyers were allegedly sent back by corrections personnel amid fears of the spread of coronavirus.
The publication claimed that the lawyers wanted to check on Kelly’s well-being as well as to discuss his legal strategy, but the Bureau of Prisons in Illinois has insisted jail staff are suspending visits for the next 30 days.
A representative for the Bureau of Prisons also told TMZ that they are making their determinations with an eye toward avoiding unnecessarily exposure of inmates and others, but says they also understand the “importance of allowing the inmates access to lawyers” and so will try to accommodate.
R.Kelly was recently hit with a new indictment which includes charges of coercion and enticement, coercion of a minor, and transportation of a minor across state lines.
His alleged victims, listed as Jane Doe #5 and Jane Doe #6 claimed that Kelly never informed them he had herpes during their relationship, with Jane Doe #6 claiming she was exposed to the virus because they had unprotected sex.
In addition, the singer has also been hit with new racketeering charges including allegations he used, “force, threats of force, physical restraint and threats of physical restraint.”
R.Kelly is currently also facing 13 charges in Illinois and has pending cases in Illinois state and Minnesota with further charges in Brooklyn, New York, that include sex trafficking, racketeering, and child pornography.
