Avenatti is best known for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in a lawsuit against President Donald Trump. He said his office was retained in April 2018 by multiple people regarding allegations of sexual assault of minors by Kelly, whose legal name is Robert Kelly.
Avenatti said the video surfaced during a 10-month investigation that included witness interviews and examination of documents and evidence throughout the US. He told The Associated Press the person who provided the tape knew both Kelly and the female in the video.
He also said he didn't know where the person had kept the video or why they hadn't provided it to law enforcement previously.
Foxx asked potential victims to come forward last month after Lifetime aired the documentary Surviving R Kelly, which revisited the allegations against Kelly and put a spotlight on new ones.
Activists from the #MeToo and #MuteRKelly social media movements used the renewed attention to call for streaming services to drop Kelly's music and promoters not to book any more concerts. They also held protests outside Kelly's Chicago studio.
Kelly denied all the allegations, and his lawyer, Steve Greenberg, said Kelly was the victim of a TV hit piece. He said Kelly "never knowingly had sex with an underage woman, he never forced anyone to do anything, he never held anyone captive, he never abused anyone."
Avenatti said his office is cooperating with Foxx's office. He called Kelly a predator who has preyed on "young, vulnerable girls" for too long.
"The time has come for him to finally be held accountable for his actions," he said.
- AP
