Thursday 26 June 2008

R.Kelly Trial Aftermath: Witness Claims $100,000 Pay Off In Unsealed Records

According to the Chicago Tribune, newly unsealed documents from the R. Kelly trial include a star witness' claim that she was paid $100,000 from an associate of the R&B superstar in exchange for a sex tape depicting child pornography.

Lisa Van Allen also accused one of the singer's employees of threatening her life, according to the document.

Van Allen, 27, testified during the trial that Kelly once videotaped a three-way sexual encounter in which he, Van Allen and his then-underage goddaughter participated. Van Allen later admitted that she stole the tape from Kelly's duffel bag and tried to blackmail him.

A jury acquitted Kelly last week of child pornography charges stemming from another sex tape that prosecutors said showed him engaging in sex acts with his teenage goddaughter. After the verdict, jurors said they discounted Van Allen's testimony largely because of her close ties to convicted felons.

After interviewing Van Allen in March, Cook County prosecutors prepared a document outlining her allegations. The document, like many connected to this case, was sealed from public view by Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan before the trial. Despite legal challenges from the media, the judge said the paperwork had to remain secret in order to preserve Kelly's right to a fair tria.

Gaughan unsealed the documents for the first time Tuesday. No one has been charged in connection Van Allen's allegations.

"Ms. Van Allen is an admitted thief and liar," Kelly spokesman Allan Mayer said. "She wasn't believed in court and she shouldn't be believed now."

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