For a man who once had millions at his disposal, disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, who is now servicing 30 years in prison for sex trafficking and racketeering, is racking up major debt.
On Sept. 28, R. Kelly was ordered to pay $390,000 to two of his victims in New York. Just two weeks ago, a judge ordered that the $28,000 R. Kelly had in his commissary account to be used to pay “substantial criminal monetary penalties” and victim restitution.
Prior to this decision, “The Step In The Name of Love” singer had been ordered to pay $140,000 in fines and penalties. Now, the court has added an additional $309,068.18 in restitution, Courthouse News reports.
Restitution Breakdown
Kelly will pay one victim, identified as Jane, $300,668.18. Another woman named Stephanie is to receive $8,400. The money will cover medical expenses and therapy costs. Janes is to get more because she claimed to have contracted herpes from Kelly and the court awarded her extra money to cover treatment for the STD, RadarOnline.com reported.
The singer was found guilty of running a sex trafficking ring for a number of years and was charged with racketeering and violating the Mann Act. A guilty verdict in Brooklyn was announced a year ago.
The Mann Act (also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910) is a federal law that makes it a crime to transport of “any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose,” according to Cornell Law School. (It was also, at the time of passage, to be used to punish interracial relationships.)
During a six-week trial women recounted years of abuse and total control, and testified that Kelly recruited women and underage girls who he installed at his home where he controlled their every move, Courthouse News reported.
More Fines Coming Up
R. Kelly, 55, is still awaiting sentencing from a separate Chicago trial in which he was convicted earlier this month on federal child pornography, conspiracy and underage sexual enticement charges.
Financial Fall
Kelly has said at one point in his career he had a fortune of $900 million. Celebrity Net Worth, however, estimates that at his peak, Kelly’s fortune was more like $100 million, based mainly on his numerous hit songs, touring, and his songwriting royalties.
Kelly complained that because he is illiterate people in his circle took advantage of him financially, including an ex-manager who said he was investing Kelly’s money into various business ventures such as a recording studio, a cigar bar, and a keyboard branded with Kelly’s name. None of these ventures materialized.
