R. Kelly Sued Over Secretive Videotape
Man Who Recovered Stolen Tape For Singer Wants Full Pay
Posted: 3:32 p.m. EDT July 18, 2002
Another videotape has R. Kelly in legal trouble again -- but the person who is bringing suit against the singer can't say what's on it.
Charles Freeman, of Kansas City Mo., is claiming Kelly owes him $75,000 for recovering a stolen videotape. Freeman's lawyer said he has not seen the tape and does not know why it's so valuable.
Neither the lawsuit or the videotape in question has any connection to Kelly's current criminal case where the singer is charged with having sex with an underage girl.
According to the suit, Kelly hired a private detective who contracted with Freeman to recover the tape last August. The contract promised Freeman $100,000 and up to $40,000 in expenses if he recovered the stolen tape.
Freeman was to recover the tape in two days and pass a lie-detector test to prove he knows of no other copies. The contract also stipulated Freeman could not reveal what's on the tape.
Freeman found the tape but said he was paid only $65,000.
His lawyer said Freeman protected himself by keeping a copy of the video, because he was only paid about half.
In June, Kelly pled not guilty in a Chicago courtroom to 21 counts of child pornography.
Prosecutors in that case claim a tape shows him having sex with an underage girl. Kelly's attorney said the woman on the tape wasn't under 18 at the time of the video.
People have rallied around Kelly despite the allegations. Fans cheered him after he left the courtroom after his arraignment, and a Chicago radio station has played a new Kelly song, "Heaven, I Need a Hug," which addresses the singer's legal troubles.
Previous Stories
Charles Freeman, of Kansas City Mo., is claiming Kelly owes him $75,000 for recovering a stolen videotape. Freeman's lawyer said he has not seen the tape and does not know why it's so valuable.
Neither the lawsuit or the videotape in question has any connection to Kelly's current criminal case where the singer is charged with having sex with an underage girl.
According to the suit, Kelly hired a private detective who contracted with Freeman to recover the tape last August. The contract promised Freeman $100,000 and up to $40,000 in expenses if he recovered the stolen tape.
Freeman was to recover the tape in two days and pass a lie-detector test to prove he knows of no other copies. The contract also stipulated Freeman could not reveal what's on the tape.
Freeman found the tape but said he was paid only $65,000.
His lawyer said Freeman protected himself by keeping a copy of the video, because he was only paid about half.
In June, Kelly pled not guilty in a Chicago courtroom to 21 counts of child pornography.
Prosecutors in that case claim a tape shows him having sex with an underage girl. Kelly's attorney said the woman on the tape wasn't under 18 at the time of the video.
People have rallied around Kelly despite the allegations. Fans cheered him after he left the courtroom after his arraignment, and a Chicago radio station has played a new Kelly song, "Heaven, I Need a Hug," which addresses the singer's legal troubles.
Previous Stories
- June 26, 2002: R. Kelly Enters Plea In Child Porn Case
- June 21, 2002: R. Kelly Song Addresses Legal Troubles
- June 10, 2002: Girl, Parents Uncooperative In R. Kelly Case?
- June 7, 2002: R. Kelly Posts $75,000 Bail
- June 6, 2002: Judge Sets Bail For R. Kelly
- June 6, 2002: Police: Get Rid Of Downloaded R. Kelly Sex Tape
- June 6, 2002: R. Kelly To Appear In Court Today
- June 5, 2002: R. Kelly To Be Charged With Child Pornography
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