Dec 5, 2019

R. Kelly charged with bribing official to obtain false ID for underage girl

Orion Rummler

In this image, Kelly stands in an orange prison jumpsuit next to his lawyer, who wears a suit and tie. — R. Kelly and his attorney at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Sept. 17 in Chicago. Photo: Antonio Perez - Pool via Getty Images

R&B singer R. Kelly was charged on Thursday with bribing an Illinois government employee to create a false ID for 15-year-old singer Aaliyah Haughton one day before marrying her in August 1994, the Washington Post reports.

The big picture: Kelly is one of 11 reported influential figures to face charges or convictions over accusations of sexual offenses since the #MeToo movement went viral in 2017.

Details: Kelly was charged in February on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims, and in May on 11 counts involving aggravated criminal sexual assault. He is being held without bail.

He was acquitted in 2008 on child pornography charges.

Go deeper: Global #MeToo movement has resulted in 6 convictions, 5 charges

Add Axios on Google

R. Kelly charged with bribing official to obtain false ID for underage girl

What to read next