Los Angeles authorities have launched a criminal investigation into iconic singer Smokey Robinson after four former housekeepers accused him of sexual assault. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed the probe on Thursday. Officials noted the investigation remains in its early stages and have declined further comment to multiple news outlets.
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The lawsuit, filed earlier this month in Los Angeles County Superior Court, prompted the investigation. TMZ first reported the case, which seeks $50 million in damages.
The suit accuses Robinson, whose real name is William Robinson Jr., and his wife, Frances Robinson, of creating a hostile work environment.
Lawsuit Alleges Years of Misconduct
The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Does 1-4, worked as housekeepers for the Robinsons. One woman claims Robinson assaulted her at least 23 times from 2014 to 2020. Another alleges 20 assaults during her 12-year employment.
The lawsuit describes the women as low-wage workers who feared retaliation, public shame, and immigration consequences. These fears delayed their decision to speak out, the suit says.
Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden represent the plaintiffs. They issued a statement supporting the investigation.
"Our clients will fully cooperate with the Sheriff's Department to seek justice for themselves and others Robinson may have harmed," they said.
Robinson Denies Allegations
Christopher Frost, Robinson's attorney, rejected the accusations. He called the lawsuit a "fabricated attempt" to extort money.
Frost expressed confidence in Robinson's innocence.
"We feel 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 said, via TMZ. "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."
Robinson, a Motown pioneer, earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. His attorney argued the lawsuit aims to exploit the singer's legacy for profit.
The Sheriff's Department has not announced a timeline for the investigation, and no charges have been filed.
That said, the case has sparked widespread attention due to Robinson's fame and the gravity of the allegations. Legal analysts have suggested the investigation's outcome will depend on evidence and the plaintiffs' credibility.
