Federal investigators have launched a nationwide investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against troubled singer R. Kelly, who is currently being held in a Cook County, Illinois jail for unpaid child support.
Kelly, 52, was taken into custody during a child support hearing at the Daley Center in Chicago on Wednesday, March 6. His next hearing is scheduled for March 13.
Also on Wednesday, the feds and representatives of the U.S. Attorney's Office interviewed an ex-employee in Atlanta as part of the ongoing case into allegations that have plagued Kelly for decades.
According to The Blast, Kash Howard and her attorney, Mawuli Mel Davis, met with investigators from the task force connected with the Department of Homeland Security for two hours at Davis' offices in Atlanta.
The Blast's sources say the investigation is focused on Kelly's live-in girlfriends, Joycelyn Savage, 23 (pictured right), and Azriel Clary, 21, who allegedly traveled over state lines with the singer in 2015 when she was 17.
The Blast was told the flight with Clary and Kelly on it was booked by Kelly's people, so the feds wanted to question Howard to see if she booked the flight.
After speaking with officials, Howard admitted, "This has been a very disturbing situation for me," but adds she’s been "supportive of the young ladies" and will continue to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Sources close to the investigation tell The Blast the family of Joycelyn Savage will also meet with the federal officials, and have a Thursday meeting scheduled.
Savage and Clary have denied allegations of abuse by Kelly. They continue to support him and have refused to meet with their families who allege they have been brainwashed by Kelly.
In an explosive interview with CBS This Morning anchorwoman Gayle King that aired on Wednesday, Kelly blamed the women's parents for selling their daughters to him.
Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
