R. Kelly Probe Called For Amid 'Sex Cult' Allegations

ATLANTA, GA — Fulton County Chairman John Eaves held a news conference Friday morning to call for the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to open a criminal investigation against singer R. Kelly. But District Attorney Paul Howard told local media late Friday that there is no investigation in the works.

The developments come as critics are calling on county leaders to stop Kelly's concert at Atlanta's Wolf Creek Amphitheater on Aug. 25 amid explosive allegations that the superstar is running a "sex cult."

Eaves cited information that he said has come to light in recent days after the allegations emerged last month that the artist, whose real name is Robert Kelly, is running the cult at homes in metro Atlanta and Illinois. (Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

“A detailed local investigation by the John Creek Police Department has provided key information that we believe is enough evidence that gives the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office all it needs to advance a criminal investigation of the well-known allegations," Eaves said in a written statement. "Today, I am asking District Attorney Paul Howard and his investigative officers and prosecutors to fully review the report of the Johns Creek Police and follow every lead — no matter where it leads, or who it implicates, and bring those persons to swift justice."

The claims center on a cadre of young women who have allegedly cut off much of their contact with their friends and family. The allegations, first reported by Buzzfeed, say that Kelly controls the minds of the women to a point that he even confiscates their phones and gives them new ones that only he can correspond on with them. He also allegedly demands that they wear jogging suits to cover up their figures around other men. The allegations stem from the parents of one of the women, a former Georgia Gwinnett College student, and former members of his inner circle.

Kelly's only public comment on the matter came weeks ago when his legal representative dismissed the claims.

"Mr. Robert Kelly is both alarmed and disturbed at the recent revelations attributed to him," his attorney, Linda S. Mensch, said, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Mr. Kelly unequivocally denies such allegations and will work diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name."

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Eaves said that he has been moved to act because he himself is the father to a teenage daughter.

"We have a moral responsibility to stand up for people who cannot protect themselves. Today, I am asking our Fulton County Justice officials to do just that. If we won’t protect our young girls and young women, who will?”

Kenyette Barnes-Harper, the legislative and policy director with the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice, formerly the Atlanta March for Social Justice & Women, told Patch that she is organizing a protest at the concert to raise awareness about the allegations against the singer. She lobbied the Fulton Commission to act and has also called on local radio stations to not play the singer.

"I do not think Atlanta radio is complicit, [but] I think that it's irresponsible" for stations to play Kelly's music in light of the latest allegations, she said. "Atlanta is the domestic sex trafficking hub of the U.S., with most victims being under the age of 18. For the radio community to give airtime to a performer, who's engaged in these acts, is reprehensible."

R. Kelly Called 'Puppet Master' Of 'Cult' In Gwinnett: Report

She added that she believes Fulton commissioners have a responsibility to taxpayers "to not allow a contract to Live Nation, for an artist who clearly demonstrates predatory behavior against a vulnerable population."

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to draft a letter to Live Nation, the concert promoter, requesting that the date be canceled. As of yet, Live Nation has not backed out of the concert, as the Atlanta date remains on its website.

Photo by Charles Sykes | Associated Press