Singer’s Legal Team Argues Racketeering Law Should Not Apply to His Case

R. Kelly’s legal team has filed an appeal against the 30-year prison sentence handed to the singer in 2022, arguing that the use of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute in his trial was unjust. Kelly’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, told an appeals court in Manhattan on Monday that the law, which was originally intended to combat organised crime, was improperly applied in the case against the R&B star.

The 57-year-old artist, convicted for sexually abusing young fans, including minors, over a span of decades, has contested the notion that his activities with his entourage should be considered as running a RICO enterprise. Bonjean claimed that the singer’s team, which allegedly helped recruit women and girls for sexual exploitation, should not be considered part of a criminal organisation in the same vein as Mafia groups or street gangs. She noted that if the law is applied too broadly, it could categorise numerous legitimate organisations—such as college fraternities—as racketeering enterprises.

While Bonjean sought to reverse the conviction or secure a new trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kayla Bensing defended the government’s case, stating that Kelly’s network of employees and associates was integral to maintaining a system that lured young girls into his circle. According to the prosecution, the employees were aware of the illegal activities, including sexual abuse and child pornography production, as they aided in isolating and controlling victims.

During the appeal hearing, judges questioned whether staff members knew of Kelly’s abuse, with some citing testimony from victims who revealed they had told Kelly’s team members about their underage status. The prosecutor also highlighted instances where the singer’s staff had booked travel for the girls and gathered their birth dates, suggesting they knew the girls were underage.

Kelly, known for his hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” was a beloved figure for many years, even as allegations of sexual misconduct began circulating in the 1990s. After being acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, he was convicted again in 2022 for producing child pornography and engaging in sexual activity with minors. The outrage surrounding Kelly’s actions became more prominent following the release of the documentary Surviving R. Kelly and the broader #MeToo movement.