Women Featured in 'Surviving R. Kelly' Awarded $10.5 Million Over Threat That Shut Down NYC Screening
R. Kelly continues to pay for his crimes.
According to TMZ, six women featured in the "Surviving R. Kelly" docuseries have been granted $10.5 million in a lawsuit against the singer and his former manager, Donnell Russell. The case stemmed from threats that ultimately led to the cancellation of a screening of the docuseries.
According to court records, the group claimed that the disgraced singer and Russell had orchestrated their plan to prevent Lifetime from airing the series. The docuseries delved into years of allegations against Kelly, including sexual assault and other misconduct.
The women maintained that after their attempts to thwart the project through legal means proved ineffective, a representative from Kelly's circle issued a threat against the New York screening. The threat included claims that they were “going to shoot up the place.” As a result, the scheduled screening was ultimately called off.
The plaintiffs claimed that this incident resurfaced past traumas and induced panic attacks. They have been awarded between $1.1 million and $2.25 million in damages.
This is the latest update in payments made by Kelly, who is currently serving a 31-year sentence in federal prison. He was convicted on several charges in two separate federal trials in Chicago and New York. The charges include child pornography, sex trafficking, and racketeering,
The Grammy Award-winner’s record label, Universal Music Group, was recently ordered to pay over $500,000 in music royalties to the 56-year-old’s victims.
