R. Kelly pleads not guilty to superseding indictment charges of racketeering, bribery

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Wednesday, December 18, 2019
New federal charges have been filed against Chicago singer R. Kelly that appear to be related his 1994 marriage to a teenager.

CHICAGO -- Chicago singer R. Kelly pleaded not guilty Wednesday to superseding indictment charges of racketeering and bribing an Illinois state officer.

Kelly was arraigned in New York federal court on Wednesday. He appeared for the arraignment via video conference.

Kelly is charged with paying a bribe to obtain a fake ID.

RELATED: R. Kelly hit with new bribery charges in NYC, prosecutors say

The charges are connected to Kelly's brief marriage to the late singer Aaliyah.

Prosecutors said Kelly used a public employee to create a fraudulent identification document the day before their 1994 marriage. Aaliyah was just 15 at the time.

The marriage was annulled.

RELATED: Federal records reveal wide scope of R. Kelly racketeering investigation

Kelly is in custody on sex charges in Chicago.