R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld Wednesday 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.

R. Kelly is staying in prison on his sex trafficking and racketeering convictions for the required 30 years. His request for appeal was denied by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday (Feb.