Disgraced ex-king of R&B, R. Kelly, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in a federal indictment against him out of the Eastern District of New York.
Prosecutors have now included an allegation of bribery in addition to his racketeering case, pertaining to Kelly purchasing a fake ID for Aaliyah in 1994. Allegedly, the falsified ID stated that Aaliyah was 18-years-old, making it possible for Kelly to marry the 15-year-old singer on August 31, 1994.
Kelly joined the hearing via video from the Chicago jail, where he has been held awaiting trial. Kelly is facing several other federal and state cases in Illinois, Minnesota.
Demetrius Smith, R. Kelly’s ex-tour manager, has publicly confirmed on several occasions that he assisted Kelly in obtaining the fraudulent ID for his teenage bride and witnessed the two wed.
The case is set to go to trial in April 2020.
