It could be a bad look for R. Kelly– 3 of his alleged acquaintances were charged with harassing witnesses in his criminal case … but the singer claims not to have been involved. The US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday Richard Arline, Donnell Russell and Michael Williams were arrested and charged with allegedly intimidating witnesses in the disgraced singer’s racketeering case in New York City. Prosecutors allege that Arline – a self-proclaimed friend of R. Kelly – offered $ 500,000 to an alleged victim in return for her refusal to cooperate with prosecutors. Russell – a self-proclaimed manager, counselor and friend of Kelly’s – has reportedly threatened to reveal sexually explicit photos of an alleged victim and to publicly reveal her sexual history if she did not withdraw her civil suit. And get this, prosecutors say Williams – a relative of someone who was once Kelly’s publicist – set fire to an SUV parked outside the Florida residence where an alleged victim was staying in June. Brooklyn Interim US Attorney Seth D. DuCharme released a statement saying… “The defendants are separately charged with committing several crimes which were intended to undermine and corrupt the integrity of the criminal justice system and victimize them. women who came forward. serious allegations of criminal conduct against the accused R. Kelly. “ Kelly’s lawyer, Steven Greenberg, told TMZ… his team has just learned of the accusations against Kelly’s so-called “associates”. He said: “Without a doubt, Robert Kelly has nothing to do with any of these alleged acts of the accused. He did not attempt to intimidate anyone, or encourage anyone to do so. No implication. “ It is worth noting… a judge in October 2019 refused Kelly’s bail after prosecutors feared tampering and / or intimidation of witnesses.
