The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that Motown legend Smokey Robinson, legally known as William Robinson, is under criminal investigation for allegations of sexual assault. The department’s Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating the claims, which are still in the early stages.
The investigation follows a lawsuit filed by four former housekeepers, who accuse the 85-year-old singer of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks at least $50 million in damages and claims incidents dating back to 2006. According to BBC News, the women allege Robinson pressured them into sex, and they feared coming forward due to potential repercussions on their livelihoods and immigration status.
Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, has denied the allegations, labeling them as “manufactured” and motivated by financial gain. He stated, “We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong.” The attorney also mentioned that the investigation was initiated because the plaintiffs filed a police report after the lawsuit.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the lawsuit also accuses Robinson’s wife, Frances, of contributing to a hostile work environment. The accusers’ attorneys have expressed their intent to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Robinson, known for hits like “Tracks of My Tears” and “My Girl,” has been a central figure in the Motown music scene. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, his legal team remains confident in his innocence and plans to seek a dismissal of the case.
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