R. Kelly’scrisis manager, Darrell Johnson, announced he is no longer working for the musician amid his legal battles.
In a statement shared withCBS Newson Monday night, Johnson said, “I step down as crisis manager for personal reasons. Mr. Kelly is in good hands with Mr. Greenberg.”
Steve Greenberg is the criminal defense attorney who heads Kelly’s legal team in Chicago, where the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer is currently beingheld without bond.On July 11, Kelly (né Robert Kelly) wasarrested on federal chargesincluding child pornography, racketeering and obstruction of justice — per two indictments out of Chicago and New York City — and willremain in custodyas he awaits his Aug. 2 court date in N.Y.C.
“Absolutely not,” Johnson said. “I would not leave my daughter with anyone that’s accused of being a pedophile. I would not.”
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP/Getty; Inset: TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
When King pointed out that his response could be seen as contradictory given his defense of R. Kelly, who has been accused of being a pedophile, Johnson reiterated, “I wouldn’t leave my daughter with anyone — I’m going to say it again — that’s accused of being a pedophile.”
During his appearance onCBS This Morning, Johnson also said his now-former client “is a mess right now” and that he’s “absolutely” concerned about his mental health.
Along with his most recent indictments, Kelly also faces a separate five-count indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. It includes charges of racketeering and violations of the Mann Act, which “prohibits transporting people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution,” theNew York Timespreviously reported.
In addition, prosecutors alleged Kelly and his team “paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to victims and witnesses” to ensure they would not cooperate with law enforcement, the Associated Press reported. The Chicago indictment also accused Kelly of using physical abuse, violence and blackmail to “prevent victims from providing evidence to law enforcement.”
R. Kelly.Matt Marton/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In February, he was also hit with10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuseagainst four alleged victims, three of which were specially referred to as under the age of 17. Hepleaded not guiltyto all of the charges.
An arrest warrant was issued for Kelly in February after the first charges were announced, and hesurrendered to Chicago policehours later. Three days later, Kelly wasreleased from jailafter paying 10 percent of his $1 million bail amount, the Cook County Sheriff confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.
Kelly, who was also the subject ofthe bombshell documentarySurviving R. Kellyearlier this year, has maintained his innocence throughout his legal troubles.
RELATED VIDEO: R. Kelly Arrested in Chicago on Federal Child Pornography Charges
In March, Kelly made headlines amid his legal trouble for an emotionally charged interview with King in which he broke down in tears as he denied the allegations facing him.
“Forget how you feel about me! Hate me if you want to, love me if you want, but use your common sense!” he told King during theCBS This Morninginterview. “How stupid would it be for me with my crazy past and what I’ve been through to be like, ‘Oh right now, I think I need to be a monster and hold girls against their will, chain ’em up in my basement and don’t let ’em eat and don’t let ’em out?’”
source: people.com
