A federal appeals court has upheld singer R. Kelly's racketeering convictions and a 30-year prison sentence, finding he exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women.

R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld today by a federal appeals court that concluded the singer exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women.

In the push and pull over whether a Republican judge’s request to throw out more than 60,000 votes in his election contest should be considered in state or federal court, a panel of federal judges said Tuesday that the case will stay in state court for now.