R. Kelly’s Legal Battle: Lawsuit Against Federal Bureau of Prisons and YouTuber Tasha K
Embattled R&B sensation R. Kelly has taken legal action, targeting both the Federal Bureau of Prisons and YouTube influencer Tasha K. The convicted sex offender is stirring the pot with claims of negligence, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other allegations.
The Allegations: Privacy Breaches and Emotional Turmoil
In a detailed 28-page complaint, obtained by Gitty Gazette, R. Kelly alleges that his privacy was breached by numerous Prison Bureau officers. These officers reportedly accessed his sensitive information without authorization. Furthermore, the singer accuses a former prison officer of leaking his prison records to Tasha K, the host of the popular YouTube channel “UnWinewithTashaK,” boasting over 1 million subscribers.
Interestingly, this lawsuit surfaces as Kelly is appealing his 2021 and 2022 convictions on serious charges, including sex trafficking, child pornography, and racketeering. He is now seeking a trial by jury to address these new allegations.
Investigation Findings: Unauthorized Access and Information Sharing
The lawsuit references a “secret” investigation by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. This investigation reportedly uncovered that “at least 60 BOP officers made unauthorized access to plaintiff’s sensitive, confidential, and private information maintained by the BOP.” One officer, dubbed Officer A, is said to have accessed Kelly’s records over 150 times, even emailing some records to herself before passing them to Tasha K (Latasha Kebe), in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
The Impact of Tasha K’s Actions
Tasha K, who faced a successful defamation lawsuit by Cardi B in 2022 and subsequently filed for bankruptcy, is accused of using the stolen information to incite her followers to harass Kelly. She allegedly created chaos in Kelly’s personal life by rallying her massive following. Tasha K is said to have posted the information on her YouTube channel, including details of phone calls between Kelly and various women, visitor logs, and email Communications.
In one of her videos, Tasha K teases her viewers with insider information, saying, “Yeah, there’s a phone tap somewhere, and I’m not gonna tell you where it’s at. I have the plug. I’m not gonna tell you where I got the information from, but just listen to the damn information, OK?”
R. Kelly’s Struggle with Trust and Communication
Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed to ABC7 Chicago how the alleged violations have severely impacted Kelly’s ability to communicate. “He had every right to be able to be confident, to think the BOP would protect his information and not exploit, but unfortunately, certain BOP officers did just that,” Bonjean stated. The impact has been so profound that Kelly reportedly feels uncomfortable communicating with anyone, including his own lawyers.
Seeking Justice Through Legal Action
According to Kelly’s attorneys, this lawsuit is a necessary step towards justice. They argue that despite the Department of Justice’s investigation into the misconduct, no charges were brought against those involved. The Bonjean Law Group told Gitty Gazette, “Mr. Kelly must now bring this lawsuit to get answers and justice, because despite opening an investigation into the serious misconduct, the DOJ ultimately declined to indict the wrongdoers and allowed the misconduct to continue.”
R. Kelly’s Convictions and Sentencing
Kelly’s legal troubles are not new. Jurors in Brooklyn, New York, convicted him of racketeering and sex trafficking charges on September 27, 2021. Additionally, Chicago jurors found him guilty of child pornography charges on September 14, 2022. Collectively, the singer received a sentence of more than 30 years in prison.
Once a celebrated figure in the Black community, the allegations against Kelly have created a significant divide. His convictions followed years of activism led by Black women, a documentary, and social media campaigns that brought his actions to light.
Response from the Bureau of Prisons and Tasha K
As of the time of reporting, neither the Bureau of Prisons nor Tasha K had responded to Gitty Gazette’s requests for comment on the matter.
In conclusion, R. Kelly’s latest legal maneuver adds another layer to his complex and controversial narrative. As the world watches, the outcomes of this lawsuit could have significant implications for privacy, celebrity, and the justice system.
