Default judgment against no-show R. Kelly in civil case

In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 booking photo released by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office is R. Kelly. A Cook County Sheriff’s Office official says singer Kelly won’t be released from jail until he pays $161,000 in back child support he owes. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari says Kelly was taken into custody Wednesday during a hearing over the child support and that his next hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, March 13. Image: Cook County Sheriff’s Office via AP

A Cook County judge has entered a default judgment for a woman who sued R. Kelly in February, accusing the singer of sexually abusing her when she was a minor 20 years ago.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that the court will enter an amount Kelly should pay next month. It ruled Kelly in default Tuesday after he never responded to summonses.

Separately, Kelly is charged criminally with sexually abusing three girls and a woman. He denies the allegations. Lawsuit filings aren’t clear about links to the criminal case.

It’s unclear if Kelly has a lawyer for the civil matter. His criminal attorney, Steve Greenberg, told The Associated Press Wednesday he isn’t involved in the civil case. He added: “I know nothing about it except for what I read in the papers.” CC

RELATED STORIES: 

R. Kelly case poses challenge: Separating artist from anthem 

Avenatti met R. Kelly prosecutor Foxx at O’Hare, says report