R. Kelly Accuser Says Star Threatened To Reveal Her Sex Life
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — A woman who accused R. Kelly of sexual abuse says he wrote a letter threatening to reveal details of her sexual history if she didn't drop a lawsuit.
The woman, Faith Rodgers, and her attorney, Gloria Allred, spoke Monday at a news conference in New York.
Allred says Kelly sent the letter in October to another of Rodgers' attorneys.
In the letter, a person identifying himself as R. Kelly writes that if the suit went forward, he would have "10 personal male witnesses" testify about Rodgers' sex life.
It reads she should stop if she "really cares about her own reputation."
STATEMENT RELEASED ABOUT TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE:
- R. Kelly Response To Summons & Letter To Cease & Desist
- Statement of Michelle Kramer
- Statement of Kelly Rodgers
- Statement of Gloria Allred
The singer's lawyer, Steve Greenberg, says the letter "looks fake." Kelly denies any misconduct, and released a statement of his own Monday night.
"This is to enlighten you concerning the presumption of court appearance that you may not be aware of since attorneys are taught a coloring of law and not canon or common law," said Kelly in his statement. "Color-of-law is NOT law. It's fiction for corporate fictions of which I am not."
Kelly's career has been in turmoil since the airing of a documentary detailing accusations against him. In December, a theater in lower Manhatta screening the documentary was evacuated after phone threats were made.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)