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.
Officials say the European Union is finalizing plans to allow tourists from the United States to travel to the 27-nation bloc this summer.
Jill is joined by Baker Machado this morning to talk about the CDC reinstating the J&J vaccine, a worsening Coronavirus crisis in India, but also, where things are looking a lot better.
Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” won best picture Sunday at the 93rd Academy Awards, where the China-born Zhao also became just the second woman — and the first woman of color — to win best director. The
Michigan has become the current national hotspot for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations at a time when more than half the U.S. adult population has been vaccinated and other states have seen the virus diminish substantially.
Indonesia’s navy is scouring the waters off Bali in an increasingly frantic search for a missing submarine with only hours left in its oxygen supply for its 53 crewmembers.
Republican Caitlyn Jenner says she will run for governor of California. Jenner says in statement posted Friday on Twitter that she has filed initial paperwork to run.
Jill is joined by Mosheh Oinounou to talk about the latest CDC data on coronavirus vaccines and pregnancy. Plus, will DC become the 51st state? And an Oscar preview-- even though fewer people are expected to watch. Plus LOVE HATE ATE, The Moving Edition, in honor of Carlo’s big move this weekend.
NYC officials are beginning to rethink the layout of city streets as biking ticks up in the city. Now, thousands of bike racks are being installed across the city. Cheddar's Chloe Aiello reports.
Maryland-based cannabis grower Culta talks sustainability as the world celebrates Earth Day. Cheddar's Chloe Aiello reports.
As Cheddar celebrate Earth Day, we providing some tips on how you can do your part and help protect the planet.
