. Kelly Says Former Publicist ''Encouraged'' Relationship W/ Daughter, ''Victim'' Speaks Out
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
R. Kelly's camp has responded to accusations that he took advantage of his former publicist's college-age daughter. In a recently released statement, the singer blamed his former representative Regina Daniels and her husband, famed Chicago music retailer George, for pushing their daughter, Maxine, into the R&B star's arms.
Long-time publicist and family friend Regina Daniels cut 14-year business ties with Kelly back in November of 2007, saying in a press release that the crooner had "crossed a line that will forever alter the scope of our relationship."
Her husband, George Daniels, aired it all out on local Los Angeles radio station KJLH last week.
"He crossed the line with my daughter," Daniels said on the air. "It didn't get to the extreme of that [sex tape] video or else I wouldn't be here, if you know what I'm talking about."
Daniels said when he confronted Kells about the alleged indiscretion, Kell's didn't give an honest answer.
"He denied it," Daniels said. "He lied to me to my face."
But Kells' camp recently fired back with a statement, according to TMZ.
"It's hard to take seriously the moral outrage expressed by George and Regina Daniels over R. Kelly's relationship with Mr. Daniels' adult daughter, Maxine," the statement read. "The fact is that they had no problem with the relationship -- indeed, they encouraged it -- while Ms. Daniels was on Mr. Kelly's payroll. "
"It was Regina Daniels, then working as a publicist for Mr. Kelly, who persuaded him to attend her step-daughter's 21st birthday party," the statement said. "And it was Regina Daniels who shortly thereafter gave her step-daughter Mr. Kelly's private phone number, with the admonition: 'Don't tell your father.' It was only after Ms. Daniels resigned her position to avoid being fired for incompetence that her stepdaughter's relationship suddenly became an issue for her and her husband."
Maxine rushed to her parent's defense, visiting the Chicago Sun-Times and giving the paper her side of the story.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," she said. "My stepmother and father didn't know about my relationship with the singer because I knew and he knew that they wouldn't approve ... so I tried to keep it a secret, but when my stepmother found out about our relationship, she resigned because she felt that Rob had 'crossed the line' by dating a girl that he has known since she was seven years old. My stepmom was not fired for incompetence. She was Rob's publicist for 14 years and always considered Rob not just a client ... but family. And Rob thought of my dad like a father."
Maxine didn't stop there.
"I am 21, smart and will be graduating from college this year, but I admit that I was swept up by his charming and generous ways, which I truly regret and have learned from," she added. "My brief relationship with Kelly last year ended because my parents were starting to hear rumors that we were together, and I was beginning to feel like it wasn't a healthy situation, especially with the pain it was causing me and my family. I felt that it just wasn't right. Also, in reference to my birthday party, which was held last spring, Regina did not push Rob to host the party. We both asked him ... and he readily agreed."
"In regards to the cell phone number, Regina didn't give me Rob's number and she didn't ask me not to tell my dad. Rob personally slipped me his number at another event and that is how we started talking. The Internet has been rampant with all sorts of rumors for months now and hopefully this will clear things up. I admit I made a mistake and I know I am not the first young adult to make a serious misjudgment."
Regina also denied allegations that she'd sought a six-figure settlement from Kells to keep quiet.
"It sounds good, but it never happened. I never contacted R. Kelly or attempted to contact R. Kelly or anyone in his camp regarding any money or any financial settlement or severance," she said.
R. Kelly is currently accused of another indecent sexual relationship as well. The R is awaiting trial in a child pornography case following the appearance of a video tape that allegedly features him engaged in sexual acts with a teenage girl. He was charged with 14 counts of child pornography in 2002 and has pled not guilty.
mi still nuh ovastand how him get charge since 2002 fi dig out lukkle gal ba**y pon tape and dem fu^kry, and him still no dey a jail.......man shoulda dey a prison from long time......