Strictures on R. Kelly travel

R. Kelly, free on bond since his indictment on 21 child pornography charges, cannot come to Los Angeles to film a music video, but he can travel to attend the BET Awards and perform at an upcoming concert, a judge has ruled.

The R&B; singer hasn’t been allowed to leave the Chicago area without a judge’s permission since he was indicted on June 5, 2002. The charges stem from a videotape purportedly showing him having sex with an underage girl. Kelly has denied the charges.

The Grammy-winning performer had sought to travel to Los Angeles to produce a video for a song from an upcoming album. But Cook County Judge Vincent Michael Gaughan said Kelly’s attorneys presented no argument why he couldn’t produce a video with technology and creative resources in Chicago, where Kelly’s from.

Gaughan did allow Kelly to travel to Los Angeles for Black Entertainment Television’s awards show on June 24. He was also given permission to go to Dallas for a charity concert.