John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners, is calling for a criminal investigation of Grammy-winning R&B singer R. Kelly, citing new evidence uncovered by Johns Creek police around allegations the 50-year-old held women against their will in a north Fulton County house.
Friday's announcement stems from a BuzzFeed story in July that alleged that Kelly "held women against their will in a cult" at a house he was renting in Johns Creek. The story cited several named and unnamed sources who the author says were close to Kelly.
>> Related: R. Kelly accused of abusing women, running cult
Eaves, who is running for mayor of Atlanta, is holding a press conference Friday morning to explain why he is demanding an investigation.
“A detailed local investigation by the John Creek Police Department has provided key information that we believe is enough evidence that gives the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office all it needs to advance a criminal investigation of the well-known allegations,” Eaves said in a statement ahead of the press conference.
Kelly and attorneys representing him have vehemently denied the allegations.
>> Related: R. Kelly ‘unequivocally denies’ claims he’s holding women against their will in ‘cult’
Parents of one Atlanta woman who is living with R. Kelly, Jocelyn Savage, held a press conference on July 17 outside of the house Kelly formerly rented just hours after the BuzzFeed story was released. Savage’s father Tim said that his daughter was “being held against her will” and the last time he saw her, she was in “a horrible condition.”
>> Related: Alleged R. Kelly victim Joycelyn Savage speaks out: ‘I’m in a happy place’
Savage, 21, has since made two videos – released to TMZ – saying she's fine and in a "happy place."
Kelly is scheduled to play at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater in College Park on Aug. 25. The venue is owned by Fulton County, but managed by LiveNation. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to send a letter to Live Nation requesting the cancellation of the upcoming concert. Live Nation said the concert will take place as scheduled, but has declined further comment.
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