Parents of R. Kelly’s live-in girlfriend threaten to sue blogger for defamation
A legal dustup between a blogger and the parents of R. Kelly girlfriend Joycelyn Savage is brewing after she claimed they are behind a tell-all Patreon post
Joycelyn Savage, the Chicago woman who has been living with embattled R&B singer R. Kelly, may not be behind the Patreon account that sought to get readers to pay money in exchange for details on her relationship with the singer.
Joycelyn’s parents, Timothy and Jonjelyn Savage, also say they didn’t start the account and are planning to sue anyone who states otherwise, according to TMZ.
The parents sent a cease and desist letter to Atlanta blogger Tasha K, accusing her of floating the rumor that the couple had something to do with the site, as well as other allegations that they said are “utterly false statements,” including allegations of drug abuse and that they have a “black box full of audio recordings.”
“Your attempts to spread libelous and defamatory material about our client have caused serious and irreparable injury to them emotionally, financially and physically. Our clients will not stand by and allow this misconduct to continue,” wrote attorney Gerald Griggs on behalf of the couple.
Patreon removed the account after several posts had already been made to it seemingly divulging Kelly’s physical, mental and emotional abuse of Joycelyn. The account was closed because Patreon could not confirm that it actually belonged to Joycelyn.
READ MORE: R. Kelly’s live-in girlfriend speaks out against the singer:’He always hated the truth’
Recently Joycelyn Savage had reportedly made two Instagram posts saying she would speak out against Kelly through content on Patreon. But there’s been doubt about the authenticity of the story, according to an interview with Kelly accuser Lisa Van Allen with TMZ. She says there were things in it that don’t “add up” and that she doesn’t think Savage is speaking freely.
Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg also said Savage’s claims are “lies” and that she’s out for a payday.
“Obviously if she were to tell the truth, no one would pay,” said Greenberg in a statement to Variety. “So she has, unfortunately, chosen to regurgitate the stories and lies told by others for her own personal profit. We know the real facts, and it was not until the money ran out that she decided anything was wrong. Hopefully, people will see it for the obvious profiteering it is.”
Previously Savage and another Kelly live-in girlfriend, Azrael Clary had fiercely defended the multiple allegations of sexual abuse against the singer.
READ MORE: R. Kelly’s lawyer says Joycelyn Savage’s claims are lies and just an attempt ‘to make money’
On her YouTube channel, Tasha K suggested that the parents were behind the page. Also, Tasha uploaded an audio recording allegedly of Joycelyn’s father inn a conversation with someone from R. Kelly’s team, stating that the R&B singer could have at it with his daughter.
Griggs said Tasha’s assertions are “defamation per se in that they depict our clients as engaging in fraudulent activity that violates civil and criminal law.”
Griggs is requesting that Tasha “immediately remove from all social media accounts all defamatory and disparaging information regarding our clients” and “immediately cease and desist in publishing defamatory statements.”
If not, Griggs said the couple plans to sue.
Kelly, 52, is in custody under 13 federal charges of child pornography, sexual activity with a minor, and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
