Court hearing pushed back for R. Kelly to perform in Dubai

R. Kelly’s attorney, Steven Greenberg, is asking that a Cook County judge hold off ruling on a request for the singer to fly to Dubai in April to participate in a few concerts.

Greenberg didn’t offer a reason on Friday as to why he asked Judge Lawrence Flood to delay the ruling. He did say, however, he was gathering more information to submit to the court, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Flood set a May 7 hearing, which is after the time period for the reported concerts.

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Kelly, 52, was indicted last month on 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from separate and multiple incidents involving three underage girls and a woman. He was released after a friend met the conditions of his $1 million bond.

The indictments came after more videos surfaced of Kelly, following the Surviving R. Kelly, Lifetime docuseries that featured young women accusing the singer of sexual abuse.

As a stipulation for his bond, the R&B crooner can’t leave Illinois without court permission.

After the Friday hearing, Greenberg didn’t elaborate to reporters on the delay, but did suggest he may ask a judge to schedule a court date that would allow the singer to perform in the United Arab Emirates next month.

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“I think the judge would be in a better position to rule in our favor if we had a little more detail in the motion,” Greenberg said, reports the Chicago Tribune. “There’s still a chance he could go to Dubai, sure.”

It is unclear whether prosecutors would object to the request.

Earlier this week, Greenberg told the court that Kelly is struggling financially and unable to earn a living in the U.S. following claims that he sexually abused multiple teenage girls. Additionally, his contract was canceled by his record company and some radio stations and streaming services are no longer playing his songs.

Greenberg told the court that Kelly should be allowed to perform overseas so he can pay off his rising debts, which also include outstanding child support and legal fees.

This didn’t match up to what Doug Anton, an attorney who claims to represent Kelly on business entertainment issues, told reporters recently. Anton said Kelly has dozens of offers to perform in the United States.

Also, Anton said Kelly may be putting out some new music soon.

“Professionally, it’s looking up,” he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Greenberg agreed, telling reporters that after he filed for permission for Kelly to travel to Dubai to perform, requests began pouring in.

“So since that’s been filed…people know he’s available to do shows,” Greenberg said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “They want him to do shows. His fans love him.”