CHICAGO — A search of R. Kelly’s recording studio turned up a massage table, a decorated Christmas tree and sparkly clothes, photos from the city reveal.
Kelly’s studio was inspected last week by city and Fire Department officials amid reports it was being unlawfully used as a residence. After the inspection, the city alleged in a complaint that inspectors found evidence people were living in the space and noted several apparent violations of the city’s building code, including unsafe stairs and curtains being used as walls.
The complaint also alleges the building was originally used as a photography studio but now houses a steam room, sauna room, recording rooms, kitchen, bar, heating-plant rooms and bedrooms, among other things, requiring construction that was done without permits.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled the studio can only be used 9 a.m.-5 p.m. as a studio, according to the Sun-Times, and the second floor can’t be used.
“It looks like people are living there, and that’s not good,” the judge said. “Someone is living there.”
Kelly, a Chicago native, has come under fire since the airing of “Surviving R. Kelly,” a multi-part series documenting sexual abuse allegations against Kelly. The series premiered Jan. 3; afterward, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx asked alleged victims to come forward and Sony Music dropped Kelly.
Photos from the building:
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