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R. Kelly Attorney Releases Statement After Singer Arrested Again in Chicago

"Most importantly he looks forward to being able to continue making wonderful music and perform for his legions of fans that believe in him," R. Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg, said in a statement

R. Kelly's attorney on Friday released a statement after the singer was arrested on federal sex charges the night before, saying the arrest wasn't a surprise to Kelly.

"Mr. Kelly was aware of the investigations and the charges were not a surprise," said Steve Greenberg, R. Kelly's attorney, in the statement. "He had already assembled a team of outstanding federal litigators."

The 52-year-old's arrest came nearly five months after he was released on bail for additional sexual abuse charges brought by Illinois prosecutors, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Singer R. Kelly was expected to appear in court Friday on the first of two new federal indictments for which he was arrested in Chicago Thursday night. NBC 5's Lauren Petty reports.

Here is Greenberg's full statement:

"As has been reported, Robert Kelly was arrested by federal agents last night while walking his dog. The agents were courteous and professional, as was Mr. Kelly. The charges arose from alleged conduct in the Northern District of Illinois as well as the Eastern District of New York. The conduct alleged appears to largely be the same as the conduct previously alleged against Mr. Kelly in his current State indictment and his former State charges that he was acquitted of. Most, if not all of the conduct alleged, is decades old.

"Mr. Kelly was aware of the investigations and the charges were not a surprise. He had already assembled a team of outstanding federal litigators. He and his lawyers look forward to his day in court, to the truth coming out and to the vindication from what has been an unprecedented assault by others for their own personal gain. Most importantly he looks forward to being able to continue making wonderful music and perform for his legions of fans that believe in him.

A bail hearing will be held early next week, at which time Mr. Kelly hopes to be released from custody.

There will be no further comment at this time."

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