Newly released court documents have revealed that R.Kelly only has $625 to his name, after the controversial musician faced a series of legal battles.
The R&B icon is currently on bail after being charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse in February. He pled not guilty to the charges and was released after posting his $100,000 (£78,000) bail.
While it’s thought that a close friend posted the bail, Kelly’s financial difficulties continue to run much deeper. As well as owing $160,000 in child support (which was paid with the help of a friend), Kelly was reportedly sued by the landlord of his Chicago studio after he owed a staggering $200,000 in back rent.
The landlord won $173,000, which led Kelly’s creditor, Midwest Commercial Funding, to seize some of his various bank accounts.They also issued subpoenas to Sony; the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers; and Kelly’s other bank accounts in an attempt to work out how to claw back the money.
As a direct result of the subpoenas, it’s said that Kelly’s account at Wintrust Bank currently holds a balance of minus $13. The Blast also claims that some $150,000 in holdings were also taken from his Bank of America, leaving just $625 in his two accounts.
According to Complex, Kelly’s landlord is still owed $50,000 and Sony has been asked to cover the windfall despite cutting ties with the star.
Kelly reportedly made $22,000 by appearing at a US nightclub earlier this month.
Last month, the star’s former hairdresser publicly accused him of sexual abuse for the first time, claiming she had his DNA on her shirt as proof.
Lanita Carter is one of the latest women to accuse Kelly of sexual abuse and claimed he had assaulted her 15 years ago, when she was 24 years old.
Claims of sexual misconduct by Kelly resurfaced after the release of the recent Surviving R Kelly documentary series. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.