This should surprise absolutely nobody.  The former manager for

Jeff Kwatinetz

singer/songwriter R. Kelly Jeff Kwatinetz is suing the artist for supposed unpaid fees.  Kwatinetz also contends that Kelly was both unable to pay as well as unwilling due to secret payments to multiple sexual misconduct accusers.

From TMZ:

The manager – Jeff Kwatinetz — filed a lawsuit against Kelly today in L.A. County Superior Court … claiming he single-handedly resurrected R. Kelly’s career back in 2008 … when the singer was drowning in child pornography charges.

Jeff claims he “guided Kelly through the recording of two new albums, substantial multi-million dollar tours … a book deal, and a myriad of other appearances and events” — and “Kelly reaped millions of dollars” while under his management.

But according to Jeff, Kelly left him in the lurch — and “has failed and refused to pay” the 15% commission rate they allegedly agreed on.

According to the lawsuit, Kelly’s business manager regularly told Jeff he couldn’t be paid “because the monies were needed for payments to avoid lawsuits and adverse publicity resulting from Kelly’s alleged [sexual misconduct].”

Now, Jeff wants Kelly to pony up at least $1 million in unpaid commissions and punitive damages.

FULL STORY HERE.

“Innocent people” don’t pay people off to remain quiet about one’s transgressions.  R. Kelly being found “not guilty” in a court of law does not mean in any way he is “innocent.”  This is a lesson that can not be stressed enough and the allegations by Kwatinetz speak to the heart of the matter.

The “book deal” in which he refers is with SmileyBooks, the publishing arm for Tavis Smiley.  Kelly’s forthcoming memoir Soulacoaster is to be released sometime this fall.

Yes, a very odd business alignment between Smiley and Kelly.  Very odd indeed.

We are thrilled to be the conduit through which R. Kelly will tell his own story,” said Tavis Smiley, founder and publisher of SmileyBooks. “He has earned the right to tell his story his own way.”

Tavis Smiley – SmileyBooks press release December, 2009

I was going to say that first of all, obviously what happened to Lara Logan is reprehensible, horrific, we can’t find a language to describe what happened to her. But having said that, if our democracy, Bill, if, if, if our readiness for democracy in this country is based upon, determined by, demonstrated by our respect for women, then we ain’t ready for democracy…

I’m suggesting to you if you think that the way we treat women in this country, with patriarchy still alive and well, sexism still alive and well, is determinative or demonstrative of how well our democracy runs, I think you don’t understand how maltreated women are still in this society. That’s all I’m saying.”

Tavis Smiley on HBO’s Real Time w/ Bill Maher – Feb. 2011

Very odd indeed.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For the most recent posts of Mr. Mo’Kelly, visit http://mrmokelly.com.  Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached: mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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