Police Commissioner’s son Greg Kelly will not be charged with rape by Manhattan prosecutors

Manhattan prosecutors cleared TV anchor Greg Kelly of rape Tuesday, the Daily News has learned.

Kelly, the son of NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly, said he was grateful and promised a rapid return to Fox 5’s “Good Day New York.”

“I am thankful that the investigation established what I've known all along, that I am innocent of the allegations that were waged against me,” Greg Kelly said in a statement.

His career was hanging in the balance for the last two weeks as detectives weighed evidence in the case.

The decision, first reported by NYDailyNews.com, came late Tuesday.

“We have concluded that the established facts do not constitute a crime under New York criminal law,” said Joan Vollero, spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.

A co-worker at Channel 5 called it “a big relief.”

“Those who know Greg always felt he should be exonerated. Hopefully the headlines will be as big for this part of the story,” the co-worker said.

A 28-year-old paralegal had accused him of raping her in October after a boozy night at a dive bar.

But after reviewing bar receipts, security logs, text messages and telephone records, investigators concluded a crime had not occurred, sex crime unit chief Martha Bashford told Kelly’s criminal lawyer, Andrew Lankler.

“They are not pressing charges,” he told the News after meeting with Bashford.

In a formal letter, Bashford told Lankler that after a two week probe, “we have determined that the facts established during our investigation do not fit the definitions of sexual assault crimes.”

It was a significant legal step beyond saying the allegations could not be proved.

Under state law, rape is defined as sexual intercourse without consent, either due to force, fear or impairment.

Vollero said Vance’s office will not bring a false reporting charge against the woman.

Commissioner Kelly declined to comment on his son being cleared.

Greg Kelly, who had not been on the air or seen in public since the accusation became public on Jan. 25, thanked his family, his viewers and his morning show co-host Rosanna Scotto for their support.

“I will always remember her kindness, and I look forward to soon resuming my post on “Good Day New York” next to her,” Kelly said.

“I am so blessed to have a wonderful family and friends whose support for me never wavered,” he said.

Kelly’s accuser went to police on Jan. 24 with the rape allegation, saying she had to terminate a pregnancy after the encounter, according to sources.

She said she and Kelly went out for drinks on Oct. 8 and she took him to the law offices where she worked, where she said he raped her.

The accusation was problematic, not just because three months had passed, but because the woman had sent Kelly flirtatious friendly messages both before and after the encounter.

Because Kelly’s father runs the department, the NYPD immediately handed the case to Vance’s office.

The investigation took two weeks and included interviews with both the accuser and Kelly, both of whom Vance’s office called “cooperative.”

Channel 5 insiders said that at a staff meeting last week, news director Dianne Doctor said she expected huge ratings when Kelly returned to the air.

“I think there will be a ratings bump when or if he returns," one staffer said, "and then it will be back to business covering crime, politics and Snooki and J-Woww's new show in Jersey."

One insider wondered how Kelly's on-air chemistry with Scotto may change.

Before the allegations, Scotto had been the family person in the relationship, often joking about trying to get Kelly dates.

"Will he change his demeanor?" asked a source. "They always tease him as being the single guy hanging out and having fun."


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Re: Police Commissioner’s son Greg Kelly will not be charged with rape by Manhattan prosecutors

So glad it really all boils down to this


Channel 5 insiders said that at a staff meeting last week, news director Dianne Doctor said she expected huge ratings when Kelly returned to the air.

“I think there will be a ratings bump when or if he returns," one staffer said, "and then it will be back to business covering crime, politics and Snooki and J-Woww's new show in Jersey."