R. Kelly’s Bid to Disqualify U.S. Attorney’s Office Denied by Federal Judge

On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Music Times reported that a federal judge rejected R. Kelly’s attempt to disqualify the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois from his post-conviction case.

U.S. District Judge Martha Pacold issued an order denying the motion, stating that Kelly’s claims of bias lacked sufficient evidence and did not meet the legal threshold required for such an action.

Kelly’s legal team, led by attorney Beau Brindley, argued that the Chicago-based office could not fairly handle the case due to alleged misconduct and internal conflicts. The motion, filed in June, specifically cited the actions of a former prosecutor.

However, Judge Pacold noted that the individual in question no longer works for the office, and Kelly acknowledged that the current prosecutor assigned to his case had not engaged in any misconduct. The judge described the request to remove the entire office as “extreme” and “drastic,” emphasizing that such a measure requires evidence of widespread systemic issues, not isolated incidents.

Pacold further explained that disqualifying an entire U.S. Attorney’s Office is an extraordinary step that demands a compelling demonstration of bias or impropriety. She found Kelly’s arguments speculative and insufficient to justify the removal of the office from the case.

Currently, Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence at FCI Butner in North Carolina following his 2022 conviction on federal child pornography and obstruction charges. The Seventh Circuit upheld the sentence in 2024.

Kelly is now seeking a new trial, with his legal team alleging constitutional violations and misconduct by federal officials. These claims include accusations of stolen legal mail, coerced witness testimony, and a purported plot to kill the singer.

Brindley requested that the Department of Justice in Washington or another district take over the case, arguing that the Chicago office could not investigate itself impartially.

The government has until October 16, 2025, to respond to Kelly’s motion.

 

 

Source: Music Times