Smokey Robinson under investigation for alleged sexual assault against former housekeepers
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | May 16, 2025, 18:52 IST
( Image credit : ANI, TOIGLOBAL )
Legendary soul artist Smokey Robinson finds himself embroiled in a criminal probe following a lawsuit that alleges years of sexual misconduct from former housekeepers. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the claims, which also implicate Robinson's wife in fostering a toxic work atmosphere.
Iconic soul singer Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation following a lawsuit filed earlier this month accusing him of sexually assaulting four former housekeepers for years. A law enforcement official confirmed the investigation on Thursday, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department handling the case. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeks $50 million in damages and also accuses Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, of perpetuating a hostile work environment. Attorneys for both the plaintiffs and Robinson have issued statements regarding the investigation and the allegations.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages. A spokesperson for the department declined to provide further details.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, stated that the investigation is linked to the lawsuit.
"Our clients intend to fully cooperate with LASD’s ongoing investigation in the pursuit of seeking justice for themselves and others that may have been similarly assaulted by him," John Harris and Herbert Hayden said in a statement.
Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, said that his client welcomes the investigation.
He feels "confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create."
Frost further stated, "The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson for no other reason than unadulterated avarice."
The lawsuit identifies the plaintiffs as former housekeepers, referred to as Jane Does 1-4. One of the women alleges that she was sexually assaulted at least 23 times between 2014 and 2020, according to the suit. Another plaintiff said she was assaulted at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for Robinson.
Robinson is a pioneering Motown artist who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Harris said the women were low-wage workers who did not previously come forward because they feared reprisal and public embarrassment. Three of the women also said they were concerned about possible adverse effects on their immigration status, according to the suit.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages. A spokesperson for the department declined to provide further details.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, stated that the investigation is linked to the lawsuit.
"Our clients intend to fully cooperate with LASD’s ongoing investigation in the pursuit of seeking justice for themselves and others that may have been similarly assaulted by him," John Harris and Herbert Hayden said in a statement.
Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, said that his client welcomes the investigation.
He feels "confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create."
Frost further stated, "The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson for no other reason than unadulterated avarice."
The lawsuit identifies the plaintiffs as former housekeepers, referred to as Jane Does 1-4. One of the women alleges that she was sexually assaulted at least 23 times between 2014 and 2020, according to the suit. Another plaintiff said she was assaulted at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for Robinson.
Robinson is a pioneering Motown artist who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Harris said the women were low-wage workers who did not previously come forward because they feared reprisal and public embarrassment. Three of the women also said they were concerned about possible adverse effects on their immigration status, according to the suit.