The woman who bailed R. Kelly from jail has been revealed. Entrepreneur Valencia Love posted 10 percent of the singer’s $1M bond at the Cook County Circuit Court prior to his release from the Cook County Department of Corrections on Monday (Feb. 25).
According to documents retrieved by The Daily Mail, Love lists herself as Kelly’s “friend” on four bond slips totaling $100,000. Shortly after it was revealed that the Chicago area resident filled out the documents and paid to free Kelly, the 47-year-old decided to speak out and share why she helped her imprisoned friend awaiting trial.
In a statement issued to Fox 32 News reporter Tia Ewing, Love breaks down her reasoning, reveals how the funds used were not acquired by her businesses or personal bank accounts, and points out how Catholic priests accused of sexual child abuse are not being vilified in the same way as Kelly.
“I’m not going to say it was my money (Valencia P. Love) or his (R. Kelly) money and he’s not broke. He was going to post bond by Thursday anyway,” she says. “He’s my friend and I knew he needed help. There are three sides to every story, his side, there’s (the alleged victims), and the truth.”
She adds: “I can’t say they’re lying (the girls/young ladies). It wasn’t my money, I’m not going to say whose money it is. I don’t condone any man sodomizing anyone or abusing a woman. He (R. Kelly) told me he was innocent, if he did it he is wrong. If he did it that’s wrong. He’s telling me he’s innocent. I wasn’t there, you (Tia Ewing) wasn’t there, give him the chance and allow him to prove his innocence.”
Love owns a daycare and restaurants, including the popular brunch spot Love on the Blu in Blue Island, IL.
R. Kelly’s next court date has been set for March 22, 2019. Although he’s pled not guilty, the singer-songwriter has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse for his alleged involvement with four females, including three who were underage when the alleged abuse occurred.
If convicted in the state of Illinois, Kelly could serve 30-70 years (3-7 years per count) in prison.
Read Love’s complete statement below.
#RKelly’s friend that bailed him out breaks her silence. I spoke with Valencia P. Love for 14 minutes. She says the singer isn’t broke and she didn’t use her $100,000 for Kelly to bounce from the county. Here are notes from our conversation by phone. @fox32news pic.twitter.com/CvTblkyT2j
— Tia A. Ewing (@TIA_EWING) February 26, 2019
I’m not going to say it was my money (Valencia P. Love) or his (R. Kelly) money and he’s not broke. He was going to post bond by Thursday anyway. He’s my friend and I knew he needed help. There are three sides to every story, his side, there’s (the alleged victims), and the truth. I can’t say they’re lying (the girls/young ladies). It wasn’t my money, I’m not going to say whose money it is. I don’t condone any man sodomizing anyone or abusing a woman.
He (R. Kelly) told me he was innocent, if he did it he is wrong. If he did it that’s wrong. He’s telling me he’s innocent. I wasn’t there, you (Tia Ewing) wasn’t there, give him the chance and allow him to prove his innocence. He’s not a monster. he’s not. Look at all these priest, why isn’t anyone going after them. Their having a summit over that right now. Why isn’t anyone focused on Kierra Coles (missing pregnant postal working in Chicago, gone since October 2018)? the media focused on Jayme Closs. Why isn’t anyone looking for Kierra?
He’s (R. Kelly) only been a gentleman to me. The prosecutors and attorney general need to be prosecuting the priest that were sleeping with 5 and 6 year old children. Let him (R. Kelly) have his chance in court to prove if he’s innocent or guilty. As a friend if he says he’s innocent, I can only believe that he is innocent.
I’m not in support of any pedophile, I don’t support that at all. He was going to get out regardless, I just went out there to help my friend.
No one is giving the stories that really need attention, the coverage they deserve.– Valencia Love