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R. Kelly accuser says singer is the only one lying

By Stephanie Stanton, FOX 11
Published  February 25, 2019 5:35pm PST
Entertainment
FOX 11 Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Attorney Gloria Allred is pushing back against R. Kelly's lawyer's assertion that the women who have accused the R&B singer of sexually abusing them are lying.

Allred said at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles that she represents more than six women who say they were abused by Kelly.

One of them, Lizette Martinez, said at the news conference that she met Kelly at a shopping mall when she was 17 years old and that he abused her from 1995 until 1999.

Martinez, who was featured in the documentary "Surviving R. Kelly," said Kelly is a "predator" who "must be held accountable for the lives he's ruined."

"He has to be stopped," Martinez said.

Martinez said it is "irresponsible" for Kelly's lawyer, Steve Greenberg, to call Kelly's accusers liars. She said the only person lying is Kelly and that he has done so "for more than 20 years."

"He can no longer run and hide he's going to have to face the evidence he's going to have to confront his accusers," Martinez said. "The years of him preying in young women have gone on for far too long. Robert Sylvester Kelly must be held accountable for the many lives he has ruined."

Allred also said Kelly's accusers have been subjected to abuse by the singer's fans.

During a hearing earlier Monday in Chicago, Kelly's lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf to 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse involving four women, including three who prosecutors allege were underage when the abuse occurred.

Kelly remained jailed Monday after a judge on Saturday set bond at $1 million. The Grammy Award-winning singer is required to pay 10 percent, and his attorney said Kelly's confidants are trying to pay $100,000 to get him released as he awaits trial.

Among the conditions of release is that Kelly have no contact with females younger than 18.

Kelly's attorney Steve Greenberg spoke to reporters Monday after entering the not guilty plea on his behalf.

Kelly, who was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, has denied wrongdoing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.