Ep 2. The Settlement Factory

Surviving R. Kelly season 2 episode 2, titled The Settlement Factory, delves into the complexities of the legal battles surrounding R. Kelly and the accusations of sexual abuse and misconduct against him. The episode features interviews with various individuals who have been involved in these legal proceedings, including lawyers, survivors, and former associates of Kelly.

One of the primary focuses of the episode is the controversial practice of settling lawsuits out of court. Survivors and their advocates argue that these settlements allow Kelly to escape accountability for his actions and continue to victimize others. On the other hand, Kelly's legal team argues that settlements are a common practice in civil cases and that they do not acknowledge any guilt on Kelly's part.

The episode explores several specific cases in which Kelly has settled with accusers, including one involving a survivor named Tracy Sampson. Sampson is interviewed about her experience working as Kelly's intern in the late 1990s and the sexual relationship she says he coerced her into. She explains how she eventually filed a lawsuit against him, only to settle out of court and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Sampson expresses regret about signing the agreement, saying that she feels she let other survivors down by keeping quiet about what happened to her.

The episode also features interviews with two of Kelly's former associates, tour manager Demetrius Smith and personal assistant Diana Copeland. Smith, who is featured prominently in Kelly's song "Do What U Want With My Body," describes his initial skepticism about the rumors of Kelly's misconduct. However, he eventually learned firsthand about Kelly's treatment of underage girls and says he regretfully enabled Kelly's behavior by arranging for him to meet young women. Copeland, who worked for Kelly in the early 2000s, describes the way that he controlled the women around him and recounts several instances where she witnessed him engaging in inappropriate behavior with minors.

The episode also delves into the complicated legal battles between Kelly and his ex-wife Andrea Kelly. The two were married from 1996 to 2009 and have three children together. Andrea has spoken publicly about the abuse she says she suffered during their marriage and has been an outspoken critic of Kelly. In the episode, Andrea's lawyer explains how Kelly has been attempting to use the family court system to retaliate against her, including by failing to pay child support and violating a restraining order meant to protect her and her children.

Throughout the episode, survivors and their advocates make a strong case against the practice of settling lawsuits out of court. They argue that these settlements allow perpetrators to avoid criminal charges and continue to victimize others. On the other hand, Kelly's legal team insists that he is innocent until proven guilty and that settlements are a common and legitimate way to resolve civil cases.

Overall, The Settlement Factory is a powerful exploration of the legal complexities surrounding R. Kelly and the accusations against him. It offers important insights into the ways that our legal systems can both enable and fail survivors of sexual abuse.