R. Kelly and Universal Music Group Ordered to Pay $500,000 in Music Royalties for Restitution
In a major legal twist, R. Kelly and Universal Music Group (UMG) have been mandated to make a substantial payment of over $500,000 in music royalties to the Brooklyn federal prosecutors. This landmark decision aims to contribute to restitution for R. Kelly’s victims and to cover unsettled criminal fines. The order, signed on August 23 by U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly, has directed UMG, the long-standing music publisher for the incarcerated multiplatinum artist, to fulfil this payment.
Earlier, Judge Donnelly had instructed R. Kelly to disburse nearly $28,000 from his inmate account in order to address outstanding fines. Presently serving a 30-year prison sentence due to his convictions in 2021 on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking in New York, the beleaguered R&B singer finds himself in an increasingly challenging legal predicament.
As part of his sentencing in 2022, R. Kelly, along with UMG and Sony Music Entertainment, was collectively saddled with a hefty $500,000 financial obligation to be paid to the victims of sexual abuse.
The court reasoned that both music giants held assets belonging to R. Kelly, equivalent to the outstanding $504,289 in restitution fees and criminal fines.
However, the recent ruling has now clarified that Sony Music will no longer share the responsibility of making payments towards this particular sum. Instead, the royalties owed to R. Kelly from Universal will be redirected to cover these financial liabilities.
This development follows a nearly thirty-year-long trail of allegations against R. Kelly, culminating in his convictions in 2021. The high-profile trial laid bare how he allegedly employed staff and intermediaries to ensnare fans and aspiring artists in sexually abusive and coercive situations.
These situations included shocking accounts of victims being confined in rooms without sustenance or bathroom access for extended periods.
R. Kelly was also found guilty of coercing minors into sexual activities and producing explicit content involving a minor.
His legal predicaments were further compounded by the 2019 release of the Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly,” which featured detailed testimonies from his purported victims. This series played a pivotal role in swaying public opinion against him, despite much of the information having been in the public domain for years.
By the time of his incarceration, R. Kelly’s substantial income from tours and recorded music, which had previously bankrolled his legal defense endeavors, had significantly dwindled.
This latest development underscores the ongoing legal ramifications and financial fallout faced by the once-celebrated artist.
It also serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring influence of the #MeToo movement and the justice system’s resolute commitment to holding individuals accountable for their deeds.
