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<\/p>\nExclusive<\/p>\n
TMZ<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n R. Kelly<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s desperate to retain the attorney who successfully defended Michael Jackson<\/strong><\/a> in his child molestation case \u2026 so much so his team\u2019s hitting up anyone it can for financial help to pay what will become an enormous legal bill \u2014 and it might be working.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ \u2026 Kelly\u2019s industry contacts have been in touch with his team and expressed a desire to help with his legal fees.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n We\u2019re told these people have agreed to anonymously help foot the bill so the singer can land attorney Tom Mesereau<\/strong><\/a> \u2026 the guy who got MJ acquitted in 2005, the same year he got Robert Blake<\/strong><\/a> acquitted of murdering his wife.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n Our sources say there\u2019s a big catch \u2014 the money won\u2019t come in unless Kelly fires his current lawyer, Steven Greenberg<\/strong> \u2026 so for now, it\u2019s all just verbal commitments. Greenberg, as we\u2019ve told you, has called the whole situation<\/strong><\/a> \u201ca complete load of crap.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Truth is \u2026 Kelly will have to pull a Brinks truck up to Mesereau\u2019s office to land him. Just like in the New York federal case<\/strong><\/a>, the defense will require forensic experts, experts in sex trafficking, P.I.\u2019s and on and on. That case alone will easily cost a million bucks to defend.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Of course, Kelly\u2019s also charged with various sex crimes in 3 other jurisdictions<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 Illinois State, Illinois Federal and Minnesota State<\/strong><\/a>. We\u2019re hearing he might also face charges in Detroit and Atlanta.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n And, we\u2019re also told \u2026 some of Kelly\u2019s fans have reached out to ask if they can contribute.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n