R Kelly: Chicago authorities raid studio over alleged building violations

Chicago city inspectors raided R Kelly’s warehouse recording studio on the city’s Near West Side on Wednesday, looking for possible building code violations.

City inspectors observed building code violations, including evidence the space had been used as a residency, though the building is not zoned for residential use, the building department said. Inspectors also found evidence of work performed without approved plans or permits.

“The Department of Buildings takes this issue seriously and has responded quickly to determine the current use of the building and whether it’s compliant with City code,” the spokesman Gregg Cunningham said in a statement.

Authorities are expected to detail the violations in a complaint at the next court hearing.

Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenburg, told the Associated Press no one was living at the studio and it should not be surprising that it included places for sleeping or taking breaks.

A Cook county judge had granted the inspection at the warehouse space last week, after the building department had received a complaint that people were living in the industrial space, CBS2 reported.

R Kelly reportedly risks eviction from the building over unpaid rent.

Wednesday’s developments raise new questions for the star, who is the subject of the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R Kelly. The series features several women who allege mental, physical and sexual abuse by the R&B star.

Prosecutors in Atlanta and Chicago have launched fresh investigations into the allegations following the series’ premiere.

The musician denies the allegations.

Kelly’s attorney, Steve Greenburg, told the Associated Press, no one was living at the studio and it should not be surprising that it included places for sleeping or taking breaks.