New video shows R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts with minor: lawyer

A lawyer has claimed he has handed over a video showing Grammy Award-winning musician R. Kelly engaging in sexual acts with an underage girl to American authorities.

The allegation comes just days out from an explosive documentary about the R&B singer airing in Australia for the first time. Surviving R. Kelly, due to make its Australian debut next week, will see several people once close to the singer – including a former manager and back-up vocalist – claim they witnessed Kelly engage in sexual misconduct with minors at various points in his career.

Several women have accused R Kelly of sexual assault.Credit: AP

Now, American lawyer Michael Avenatti, who represented adult performer Stormy Daniels in her case against Donald Trump, claims to be representing a number of people who allege R. Kelly engaged in inappropriate behaviour with young women.

On Friday, he issued a statement saying he had passed on "significant new evidence" to US prosecutors.

"We recently uncovered and recovered ... a videotape of Mr Kelly engaging in multiple sexual assaults of a girl underage," Avenatti said. "This tape, which is clear, is approximately 45 minutes in length and has never previously been publicly disclosed or, until recently, provided to law enforcement.

"Importantly, this conclusive video evidence is not the same evidence previously seen and used in connection with the prior criminal matter in which Mr Kelly was charged nor does it depict the same instances of sexual assault. Further, the time frame of the sexual assaults depicted in the video is within the Illinois statute of limitations."

A CNN reporter has claimed to have viewed the footage, describing it as "clear and explicit". In the video, the girl reportedly calls R. Kelly "daddy" multiple times and both refer to her "14-year-old p----". The video also reportedly involves urination.

Media outlets have not been able to independently verify the girl's age. But Avenatti claims one of his clients knows who she is.

R. Kelly's lawyer, Steve Greenberg, told CNN he was not aware of any new allegations involving his client.

"We have not been informed about any new information by anyone and we have not been contacted by law enforcement."

A spokesperson for the Cook County State's Attorney in Illonois told The Hollywood Reporter: "We cannot confirm or deny an investigation."

However, The New Yorker reporter Jim DeRogatis – who broke the 2002 R. Kelly sex tape story – has written that an indictment is pending and the R&B superstar could soon be arrested.

R. Kelly has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse and sexual misconduct with minors. In 2008, a Chicago jury found him not guilty of 14 counts of child pornography.

Next week's documentary, which is a six-part series, will see R. Kelly's younger brother, Carey Kelly, front the cameras along with childhood friends. Former tour manager and assistant Demetrius Smith told documentary makers her forged R. Kelly and Aaliyah's marriage papers when the latter was just 15 years old.

Former back-up singer Jovante Cunningham will also allege she witnessed Kelly having sex with an underage girl in a recording studio and, later, with Aaliyah on a tour bus. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2001, aged 22, after filming a music video in the Bahamas.

Surviving R Kelly will premiere in Australia on Foxtel on Friday, February 22 at 9.30pm.