Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault, and rape. 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 lawyer of controversial hip-hop artist R. Kelly has placed the blame on those accusing the artist of abuse, claiming that “all the women are lying”.

Yesterday, it was revealed that R. Kelly had been formally charged with ten counts of criminal sex abuse by a grand jury in Chicago. This announcement came just days after it had been revealed that a grand jury had convened to view what was claimed to be newly-surfaced evidence against the rapper.

The charges relate to Kelly’s sexual interactions with victims aged between 13-16, with the first records of his alleged abuse commencing in 1996. Each charge carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison, meaning Kelly could face up to 70 years in prison if convicted.

While R. Kelly has since turned himself in, a US judge has set a USD $1 million bond for the artist, requiring his passport to be handed in, and also prohibiting him from having any contact with anyone under the age of 18.

However, following Kelly’s surrender on Friday night (US time), his lawyer Steve Greenberg made a statement in which he dismissed the charges against the rapper, claiming that the witnesses that have come forward made up their allegations.

“I think all the women are lying, yes,” Greenberg explained to reporters. “This has become, ‘Hey, R. Kelly – I can say R. Kelly did something’ – boom.”

“There was a press conference yesterday, ‘Oh, these two girls were assaulted by R Kelly!’ And the lawyer stood there with a picture of LL Cool J!”

Likewise, Steve Greenberg also explained that he feels that Cook County, Illinois, State Attorney Kim Foxx only indicted R. Kelly as a result of the public pressure placed upon him.

“I had a discussion with the state’s attorney’s office earlier this week [and] we were supposed to meet next week and have a discussion about what they had,” Greenberg explained.

“I was gonna be allowed to address what they had, then they just decided to indict him today for whatever reason. I suspect this is succumbing to public pressure.”

At the current time, Steve Greenberg explains that R. Kelly is attempting to raise the 10% of his bond required to be released on bail. However, due to his financial situation, this is proving more difficult than expected.

“This is someone who should be wealthy at this point in his career, but through mismanagement … he really doesn’t have any money at this point,” Greenberg explained at the bond hearing. “I don’t think he even owns the rights to, ‘I Believe I Can Fly.'”

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