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CNN Live Today

Announcement Expected in R. Kelly Investigation

Aired June 05, 2002 - 12:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, in this country, an announcement is due by police in Chicago, and it concerns the popular entertainer R. Kelly. CNN's Jeff Flock is in Chicago and has that story -- Jeff.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Carol.

Let's at this hour be clear about what we do know and what we don't know. Indeed we do know, CNN has confirmed, that there will be an announcement today in connection with the R. Kelly investigation. We can also confirm, based on a law enforcement source here in Chicago, that there had been a long investigation of allegations that Kelly, the man who perhaps you best know for his song "I Believe I Can Fly," a well known R&B star who performed at this winter's Olympic Games, allegations that Kelly engaged in sex with underaged girls and videotaped at least one of those liaisons.

Now, there is a published report today that says Kelly will be indicted in Chicago today on charges of violating child pornography laws. That in connection with a videotape that he allegedly made depicting one of those acts. That we, at this hour, cannot confirm. What we can confirm, however, is that Chicago Police Department and the Cook County state's attorney here, Dick Devine, will be meeting with reporters in about three hours' time here at police headquarters behind me to make some announcement in this case and answer reporters' questions.

So that's what we know. We can tell you also that the "Sun- Times" report says that the child pornography allegations come as a result of this tape. It is a tape that was offered to CNN about five months ago for purchase. We viewed it; it does appear to depict Kelly and an underaged girl engaging in sex.

I can also tell you that since we had the opportunity to look at the tape five months ago it has been widely disseminated. It's available even blocks from where I stand here in Chicago for sale on street corners, and also in cities like New York and Los Angeles.

So that tape is out there, and the existence of that tape is generally pegged to the decline of Kelly's career. He's had some difficulty of late. His popular album with the rapper Jay-Z, which was expected to be a big hit, turned out not to be so.

So that's what we know at this hour, Carol, and we will be back here in about three hours' time, as we said, with a press conference to determine just what the deal is with R. Kelly in Chicago. That's the latest -- back to you.

LIN: Jeff, how young are these girls?

FLOCK: The one that the allegation, the specific allegation pertains to was 14, we believe, at the time. As I said, for having viewed the videotape, it does appear that there is an underage girl. I'm not clear what the age is that's depicted on there.

LIN: All right, more information at the news conference. Thank you very much -- Jeff Flock in Chicago.

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