R. Kelly's Lawyers Withdraw From Case 2 Months Before Trial

CHICAGO — Both Chicago-based lawyers representing musician R. Kelly in his New York racketeering trial have asked to withdraw from the case. In a letter to a federal judge in New York, Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard said their reasons for withdrawing were "significant" but did not give specifics.

Kelly's trial is less than two months away in August. He faces federal sex trafficking charges.

"It is impossible, in our belief, for us to be able to continue to properly represent Mr. Kelly under the current circumstances," Greenberg wrote in the letter. He continues in a statement, "We weren't comfortable professionally with allowing lawyers who have never tried federal criminal cases to have significant trial responsibilities."

Greenberg and Leonard said they plan to make a similar request with the judge presiding over Kelly's case in Chicago. While they cite reasons of uneasiness in their lack of experience with federal cases, other lawyers on Kelly's legal team said both men were fired.

"The only comment we have at this time is that Mr. Kelly terminated both lawyers prior to filing their motion," lawyers Tom Farinella and Nichole Becker told CNN.

U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly will need to approve Greenberg and Leonard's dismissal from the case. A status conference to discuss the matter is set for Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Greenberg previously represented former Bolingbrook police officer Drew Peterson, who was convicted of killing his ex-wife. He has also represented clients in other high-profile federal cases in Illinois.