Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault claims
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Motown legend Smokey Robinson faces sexual assault probe amid multimillion-dollar lawsuit.
Motown icon Smokey Robinson is at the center of a criminal investigation launched by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department following serious sexual assault allegations. The 85-year-old singer-songwriter, who rose to fame as one of Motown’s pioneering voices, has been accused by four former housekeepers of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender-based violence.
The investigation, which is currently in its early stages, was confirmed by the department’s Special Victims Bureau. A spokesperson told the BBC: “We are actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson, AKA ‘Smokey Robinson.’ The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment at this time.”
The inquiry follows the filing of a 27-page lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on May 6 by four women, all listed under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1 through 4. The women, all of Hispanic descent, allege that Robinson engaged in a series of abusive behaviors dating as far back as 2006, including pressuring them into unwanted sexual encounters.
They claim they remained silent for years out of fear—citing concerns over losing their jobs, facing retaliation from family members, and suffering public embarrassment. Some also worried the exposure of these incidents could jeopardize their immigration status. The women are seeking at least $50 million in damages and have requested a jury trial.
In a press conference last week, the plaintiffs’ legal representatives described Robinson as a “serial and sick rapist” and stated that he “must be stopped.” They presented the lawsuit as a stand for justice not only for the women involved but for others who may have faced similar circumstances in silence.
Robinson has strongly denied all the allegations through his legal team. His attorney, Christopher Frost, dismissed the claims as “manufactured” and driven by financial motives. He argued that the plaintiffs are trying to damage Robinson’s reputation and generate public sympathy by creating what he called a “media circus.”
“We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong,” Frost said in a statement to the BBC. “This is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a spectacle than the plaintiffs were previously able to create.”
Frost emphasized that the police investigation only began because the plaintiffs formally reported their allegations. He reiterated that both Robinson and his wife—who is also named in the lawsuit for allegedly fostering a hostile work environment—are innocent and being unfairly targeted.
“We welcome the police investigation because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing,” Frost added. “We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold.”
Smokey Robinson is widely celebrated as one of Motown’s most influential figures. In addition to his solo career, he was the frontman of The Miracles and helped define the sound of the 1960s. As a songwriter, he penned chart-toppers like My Girl by The Temptations and My Guy by Mary Wells. His own hits include classics like Tears of a Clown, Shop Around, and Tracks of My Tears.
Robinson holds prestigious honors, including inductions into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is credited with writing or co-writing more than 4,000 songs over a six-decade-long career.
Despite his storied legacy, these new allegations cast a heavy shadow over Robinson’s public image. His legal team has indicated plans to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. “We will have more to say in the coming days as we make our legal response,” Frost stated, adding that Robinson himself will eventually speak publicly on the matter.
As the investigation unfolds and legal proceedings begin, both supporters and critics await the facts to determine whether the legendary musician’s name will stand untarnished or face a dramatic fall from grace.
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