R. Kelly is currently on trial in Chicago and New York, and on Friday (September 9), a New York federal judge ruled the prosecution team can seize some of the money held in Kelly’s inmate commissary account to pay court fines and victim restitution, as Billboard and Rolling Stone report.
The R&B vocalist has been ordered to hand over the nearly $30,000 dollars currently in the account, which will be used to cover a $900 court fine. The balance will also be applied to restitution after the court decides how much money Kelly owes the victims. Rolling Stone also notes under the conditions of the ruling, Kelly is allowed to retain $500 for commissary use.
“The defendant has amassed nearly $30,000 dollars in his inmate trust account over the course of the last three years of incarceration,” the prosecution said, per Billboard. “The defendant has not made any payments towards the substantial criminal monetary penalties imposed upon him at sentencing, even though payment was due immediately.”
With her decision, U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly said that the decision was “appropriate,” and that the victims have a right to “full and timely restitution,” Rolling Stone reports.
In September 2021, Kelly was found guilty of racketeering and eight counts of sex trafficking in a Brooklyn court, and was later sentenced to 30 years in prison and required to pay multiple fees.
Kelly’s Chicago trial began in August 2022 after its start date was pushed back from April 2020. During the trial, an anonymous woman came forward and identified herself as the underage girl in the tape shown during Kelly’s 2008 trial, testifying against the musician.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
http://www.rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support)
SMS: Text “HERE” to 741-741
