In this June 26, 2019 file photo, R&B singer R. Kelly, center, arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court building for an arraignment on sex-related felonies in Chicago. Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, against three men accused of threatening and intimidating women who have accused Kelly of abuse, including one man suspected of setting fire to a vehicle in Florida. (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky, File)
Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against three men accused of threatening and intimidating women who have accused R&B singer R. Kelly of abuse, including one man suspected of setting fire to a vehicle in Florida.
A longtime friend of the indicted singer offered to pay a victim $500,000 to keep her from cooperating in Kelly's prosecution, authorities said, while a manager and adviser of Kelly threatened to release sexually explicit photographs of a woman who sued Kelly.
The Grammy-award winning musician has denied ever abusing anyone and has pleaded not guilty to dozens of state and federal sexual misconduct charges in Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.
The charges range from sexual assault to heading a racketeering scheme aimed at supplying Kelly with girls. Kelly also is accused of having unprotected sex with a girl in 2015 without disclosing he had herpes.
Prosecutors described a third man accused of intimidating witnesses as being related to a former Kelly publicist. They said Michael Williams, 37, of Valdosta, Georgia, traveled to Florida in June and set fire to an SUV parked outside a residence where one of Kelly's victims was staying.
Williams also conducted Internet searches for "the detonation properties of fertilizer and diesel fuel, witness intimidation and witness tampering and countries that do not have extradition with the United States," authorities said in a news release.
A message was sent to Williams' attorney seeking comment.
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Kemtai Co-Founder breaks down how computer vision and artificial intelligence can improve your workout form; Wove Co-Founder explains how it's creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring design process; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'History By The Numbers.'
Andrew Wolgemuth, Co-Founder at Wove, joins Cheddar Innovates to discuss Wove's unique engagement ring design process, which includes 3D printing replica rings, and the latest trends in the engagement ring industry.
Cheddar News explores perhaps the most divisive topic in American politics: abortion. The Supreme Court may change access in America with not just one but two major cases on its current docket so we traveled across the country to get viewpoints from both sides. Check out what we found as Megan Pratz hosts this full episode of 'Abortion in America.'
Jill and Carlo discuss what appears to be the beginning of the end of Roe v. Wade, another victim dies following the school shooting in Michigan, Omicron in the U.S., Trump's Covid chronology and more.
Wave Neuroscience announced a new collaboration with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to provide Braincare services to Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans. Operation Synchrony is a one-month, outpatient program focused on restoring and optimizing neuronal function utilizing individualized neuromodulation. Dr. Erik Won, president & chief medical officer of Wave Neuroscience and Alex Balbir, director of independence services at Wounded Warrior Project joins Cheddar News to discuss.
A new book is looking to help people talk about race by educating them on the appropriate way to do it. 'Read This to Get Smarter: About Race, Class, Gender, Disability and More' is a non-judgmental guide structured in a way for readers who are just starting their journey or those already versed in social justice to follow. Blair Imani, author of 'Read This to Get Smarter joins Cheddar News to discuss the book.
Lauren Brody, author and founder of The Fifth Trimester joins Cheddar News to discuss the state of working mothers in America and how many women are feeling the pressure this pandemic has caused.
The nine justices heard arguments Wednesday, around a Mississippi abortion law that bans the procedure after 15 weeks and appeared to lean toward upholding the law, while leaving uncertainty about the landmark precedent, Roe v. Wade. Kristin Ford, vice president of communications and research at NARAL Pro-Choice America joins Cheddar News to discuss.
