Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

The inner circle of controversial hip-hop artist R. Kelly is reportedly responsible for handing over the tapes that led to the musician’s recent arrest.

Late last week, the public saw another chapter unfold in the R. Kelly story, with the veteran artist being arrested by US police last week on federal sex charges.

These charges were the latest in a string of allegations being levelled against Kelly, with this year seeing a renewed interest in his activities thanks to the Surviving R. Kelly documentary, which aired back in January.

While rumours of this behaviour circulated for years, this documentary brought these allegations to the wider public, resulting in a highly-publicised denial from Kelly, and even saw the artist charged with numerous counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse back in February.

However, as TMZ notes, these latest charges appear to have come thanks to those close to R. Kelly, with members of his inner circle reportedly responsible for handing over damning evidence to law enforcement.

According to Gerald Griggs – the lawyer for alleged victim Jocelyn Savage’s family – the investigation into R. Kelly apparently was bolstered by the discovery of over 20 videos which reportedly showed the artist engaged in sexual activity with minors.

As TMZ explains, “Griggs says several of Kelly’s enablers – past and present – flipped and turned over the tapes to investigators,” with the videos proving to be exactly what officials needed to lay these recent charges against the artist.

According to Complex, court documents allege that R. Kelly and “another individual also agreed to pay one of the minors and another person for their efforts to return the videos, but only after they took polygraph examinations to confirm that they had returned all copies in their possession.”

In related news, a press conference pertaining to R. Kelly’s arrest was recently interrupted by the father of Jocelyn Savage, who claims that his daughter has been kept from him due to the behaviour of Kelly.

“I don’t wanna hear all that,” Savage yelled during the conference. “I wanna know where my daughter’s at! Answer that question.”

Check out R. Kelly being interviewed by Gayle King:

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