R Kelly tape being investigated

VHS tape allegedly involves an underage girl

Attorney Gloria Allred said on Friday she has contacted law enforcement about concerns one of her clients may be the person in a VHS tape recently given to Chicago prosecutors that purportedly shows R’n’B star R Kelly having sex with an underage girl.

Allred, who represents multiple R Kelly accusers, some of whom haven’t come forward publicly, spoke a day after attorney Michael Avenatti said he gave Chicago prosecutors the video.

“I’ve made law enforcement in a different jurisdiction [other than Chicago] aware of my concerns that it may, in fact, be my client and I want to protect her privacy,” Allred said in a telephone interview.

Kelly has been dogged for decades with allegations of sexual misconduct. Through his lawyers, he has consistently denied them. His current attorney, Steve Greenberg, said Allred’s comments were “speculative.”

Avenatti has said the video is not the same evidence used in Kelly’s 2008 trial, when he was acquitted on child pornography charges. CNN reported that the nearly 45-minute VHS tape, which it said it viewed, shows a man who appears to be Kelly performing sex acts with a girl who refers to her body parts as 14 years old.

In a written statement, Allred added that she is bothered by reports the recording may have been more widely viewed.

“I am very troubled that this tape has been viewed by the press and by other persons who are not law enforcement,” she said. “I plan to take all appropriate steps ASAP to confirm if one of my clients is on this reported tape, and if she is portrayed on the tape we will do everything legally possible to protect her and her rights.” —