R. Kelly is facing legal trouble once again as six of his alleged victims claim he has failed to pay the $10.3 million judgment ordered against him in 2023.
Victims Seek Payment for Unsettled Judgment
According to a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Lizette Martinez, Lisa Van Allen, Kelly Rogers, Faith Rogers, Roderick Gartrell, and Gem Pratts say they have only received less than $500,000 of the ordered compensation, leaving Kelly owing more than $9.9 million.
Background on the Lawsuit
These victims were among those who came forward in the Lifetime docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly”, shedding light on years of abuse allegations. The lawsuit alleges that Kelly and his former record label, Universal Music, attempted to suppress a screening of the documentary in 2018.
R. Kelly’s Defense and Pending Appeal
The judgment was issued against Kelly in August 2023, but the disgraced singer pushed back, arguing he was unaware of the case and should not be held liable.
Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, tells TMZ that the default judgment was entered before she took over his legal defense. She confirmed that an appeal is currently pending.
The Financial Hurdle for Victims
Currently serving a 30-year prison sentence, R. Kelly’s financial ability to pay the victims has long been a subject of speculation. While some payments have reportedly been made, the six victims insist that they are still owed a significant sum.
As legal battles continue, it remains uncertain whether Kelly’s victims will receive the full compensation awarded to them.
