Ex-girlfriend says R. Kelly ‘blackmails everyone’
R. Kelly’s former live-in girlfriend has accused the singer of hoarding a cache of incriminating material to prevent people from speaking out about his alleged sex crimes.
In an interview with the British tabloid newspaper The Sun, Azriel Clary said Kelly “blackmails everyone. He makes everyone do very degrading stuff, whether on film or writing it down, he makes them sign it.”
“He even has people on film molesting their younger nieces or younger brothers,” Clary said, adding that Kelly “has girlfriends in every city. He has flings in every city.”
Steve Greenberg, one of Kelly’s criminal defense lawyers, denied the claims in a series of tweets Thursday morning. He also accused Clary, 22, of trying to monetize her prior relationship with Kelly, 53.
“We are surprised to learn that Ms. Clary is making these allegations,” Greenberg said. “What she now says is directly contrary to truth, and the facts that have been brought forward by Ms. Clary in the past. It is also directly contrary to what we expect to be the proof. As with other ‘accusers,’ the lack of proof and their past actions impeach them.
“In sum, Ms. Clary had a long-term consensual relationship with Mr. Kelly. It continued after he was arrested, when she was free to do as she wished,” Greenberg added. “It is clear that she now seeks to personally capitalize from their relationship, and the only way to do so is to parrot the false narrative. The allegations are not true. Still, Mr. Kelly bears only good will towards Ms. Clary.”
Clary had been a vocal defender of Kelly, appearing with Joycelyn Savage — Kelly’s other live-in girlfriend — in an interview with CBS’ Gayle King last year.
The relationship deteriorated in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Clary and Savage, 24, got into a fight in Trump Tower that was broadcast live to Clary’s Instagram account.
Savage was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Her next court appearance is scheduled for next month.
Kelly is being held without bail at the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown while he faces a litany of criminal charges in four jurisdictions in three states.