Chicago Sun Times reports that R. Kelly was released from Cook County jail after a friend posted his bond on February 26. Apparently, he went to McDonald’s followed by a cigar lounge in an attempt to "get back to his roots." The previous day, a team of lawyers pleaded not guilty on his behalf to the aggravated criminal sexual assault charges.
Prior to this announcement, CNN previously claimed that the musician could not afford to meet the $100,000 bail. Kelly has been charged on 10 counts of sexual assault against four victims — three of whom would have been underage at the time the assaults took place — on February 22. His total bond was set at $1 million ($250,000 for each of the four victims) and 10 percent of the total is required to meet bail.
According to Steve Greenberg, Kelly's attorney, and court documents obtained by CNN, Kelly is in a hefty amount of debt therefore he did not have enough in the bank at present to make his bail.
"He's trying to get it together," Greenberg said, stating mismanagement, hangers-on, and bad deals as primary reasons as to why one of the most successful musicians of all time is unable to pay his debt.
Additionally, Kelly apparently owes over $169,000 in unpaid child support to his ex-wife and over $166,000 in unpaid rent. His next court date is scheduled for March 22. Stay tuned here for more updates on this developing case.
