R. Kelly to Fight Third Sex Lawsuit

CHICAGO (Chicago Tribune) - Lawyers for two-time Grammy winner R. Kelly said Monday they will fight a third civil lawsuit that claims the R&B star had sex with an underage girl.

Kelly's lawyers said they have settled two previous civil suits that also claimed the singer had sex with teen-agers but that "the cash machine is closed."
"R. Kelly is no angel, but he is no monster, either," attorney Gerry Margolis said. "This latest suit is a collection of half-truths, distortions and outright lies that we intend to fight and beat."

Lawyers would not disclose the settlement amounts for lawsuits filed in 1997 and 2001 against the platinum-selling R&B artist. Kelly, 33, whose given name is Robert, has denied any wrongdoing, Margolis said.
"In the past, we've taken the high road with regard to a series of terrible allegations made against Robert," Margolis said. "Rather than going to court to defend him against these charges - a process that would have degraded everyone concerned - we decided to settle the cases quietly."

Margolis said the lawsuit filed on Monday against Kelly, who is from Chicago, asks for more than $50,000. The suit alleges Kelly had sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl. Sex with someone under 17 is a crime in Illinois.
"People seem to have gotten the idea that R. Kelly is some sort of walking ATM machine they can hit up for cash simply by threatening to sue him," Margolis said.

Attorney Susan Loggans, who represents the women in all three lawsuits, said she was glad Kelly decided to fight the latest accusation. "I think every person has a right to have a day in court," said Loggans. "(Kelly's lawyers) previously made a statement that R. Kelly isn't an ATM, and I think it's sad that that's how he looks at it."

Kelly is known for his inspirational hits "I Believe I Can Fly" and "The Greatest" but also raunchy songs such as "Feelin' On Yo Booty," "Bump 'n' Grind" and "Your Body's Callin'."