R. Kelly Trial: 5 Things to Know

For decades, Mr. Kelly has faced allegations of sexual abuse of women and girls. Now he is to be tried on federal racketeering charges.

After decades of accusations and investigations, the federal case against R. Kelly goes to trial Wednesday in Brooklyn — the first criminal trial that the singer has faced since he was acquitted on child pornography charges in 2008. For over two and a half decades, Mr. Kelly, 54, has been the focus of persistent accusations of sexual abuse of women and girls, including questions about his marriage to the singer Aaliyah when she was 15 years old. Those allegations have grown louder in recent years, culminating in a damning documentary series called “Surviving R. Kelly.” Now the R&B star, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, will face a sprawling racketeering case, among other charges. He has pleaded not guilty.