The legendary Motown crooner Smokey Robinson has found himself ensnared in a criminal investigation in Los Angeles, amidst allegations of sexual assault that have rocked the music world. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has officially confirmed the initiation of an inquiry into these serious accusations, clarifying that the investigation is still in its nascent stages.
This investigation stems from a lawsuit filed last week by four anonymous housekeepers against the 85-year-old singing sensation and songwriter. The plaintiffs have leveled charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence against Robinson. In response, Robinson has categorically denied these allegations. His lawyer has asserted that the accusers are merely after the musician's wealth and has welcomed the police investigation, emphasizing that "exposure to the truth is indeed a powerful thing."
Christopher Frost, Robinson's attorney, issued a statement to the BBC, expressing confidence that the investigation will exonerate his client. "We are confident that it will be established that Mr. Robinson is innocent of any wrongdoing," Frost declared. "This is a desperate bid to sway public opinion and create an even greater media spectacle than the plaintiffs have managed to conjure up so far." He further contended that the police investigation had only commenced due to a formal complaint lodged by the plaintiffs and dismissed the allegations as "fabricated" and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of both Robinson and his wife, who is also named in the lawsuit and accused of fostering a hostile work environment.
The sheriff's department, in a statement to the BBC, confirmed that its Special Victims Bureau was actively probing the criminal allegations against William Robinson, alias 'Smokey Robinson.' They emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages and declined to comment further.
On May 6, the four women, using pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court. In their 27-page complaint, they detailed several alleged incidents dating back to 2006, accusing Robinson of coercing them into sexual encounters. All four Hispanic women cited fear of losing their livelihoods, familial retaliation, embarrassment, and concerns about their immigration status as reasons for not coming forward sooner. They are seeking damages of at least $50 million (£38 million) and demanding a jury trial.
Robinson, who was Motown's first hitmaker, is renowned for penning number-one hits like Mary Wells' "My Guy" and The Temptations' "My Girl." He served both as a talent scout for the label and as one of its most prominent recording artists, celebrated for songs such as "Tracks of My Tears," "Shop Around," and "Tears of a Clown." Inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Robinson boasts credits on over 4,000 songs.
Last week, the women's lawyers held a press conference after filing the lawsuit, branding Robinson a "serial and sick rapist" who "must be stopped." Robinson's legal team dismissed the event as a "bizarre" attempt to rope the public into their media circus. "We will reveal more in the coming days as we prepare our legal response, and in due course, Mr. Robinson will address the allegations in his own words," Frost stated, noting the intention to seek dismissal of the case. "We urge all who are following this case to refrain from judgment until all the evidence and actual facts of the matter come to light."
