Smokey Robinson faces criminal investigation after sexual assault allegations
Singer Smokey Robinson is being investigated for criminal behavior one week after a lawsuit was filed against him by former female housekeepers alleging sexual battery, assault, and claiming he created a hostile work environment.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to ABC News on Thursday that its Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating claims of criminal behavior against the Motown artist. The investigation is in its early stages and is just beginning, the sheriff's department said.
The investigation comes after a press conference on May 6, in which lawyers for four of Robinson's former employees announced they had filed a lawsuit against him. Some of the women subsequently filed a police report against Robinson with the sheriff's department, prompting a criminal investigation.
Christopher Frost, Robinson's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News on Thursday, "We are aware that a police report has now been filed by the Plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit. It is clear to us what is happening here."
Frost continued, "Plaintiffs filed a police report only after they filed a $50 million lawsuit. This means only that the police are now required to investigate. We welcome that investigation, which involves Plaintiffs who continue to hide their identities, because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing."
"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," he added, calling the lawsuit "manufactured" and "intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson."
The suit filed by Robinson's former housekeepers -- all of whom are listed as Jane Does -- accuses the Motown artist of unwanted acts toward them. Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, is also listed as a defendant in the suit.
Frost said in a previous statement following the Jane Does' May 6 press conference that the allegations were "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon," adding, "We will be asking the Court to dismiss the lawsuit."
"As this case progresses, the evidence (the crucial element that guides us) will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon--$50 million dollars, to be exact," Frost stated at the time. "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create."
Frost stated that "numerous aspects of the complaint that defy credulity" and said the plaintiffs' attorneys "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context."
"We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," he added.
Jane Doe 1 worked for Robinson as a housekeeper at his Chatsworth residence in Los Angeles, California, from January 2023 to February 2024, according to the complaint.
The complaint said that Robinson first sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1 in March 2023 and the assault continued until her "forced resignation in February 2024."
Jane Doe 2 worked as a housekeeper from around May 2014 to February 2020 at Robinson's Chatsworth home, the complaint said, and she is accusing Robinson of "repeated sexual assaults and harassment." She is accusing Frances Robinson for "failing to take the appropriate corrective action to prevent" her husband's "deviant misconduct."
Jane Doe 2 is also accusing Frances Robinson of perpetuating a "hostile work environment," which included screaming at her and "using ethnically pejorative words and language," the suit said.
Jane Doe 3, who worked for Robinson as a housekeeper between February 2012 and April 2024, is also accusing Robinson of sexual harassment, assault and rape, the suit said, while accusing Frances Robinson of perpetuating a "hostile work environment."
Jane Doe 4 was not only was a housekeeper for Robinson at his Chatsworth residence from October 2006 to April 2024, but she was also a personal assistant to Frances Robinson, the suit said. She claimed in the complaint that Robinson first sexually assaulted her in 2007 when she accompanied him in his Las Vegas home -- and the unwanted sexual advances continued until she resigned.
According to the suit, all four women were "unwilling to report" Robinson's alleged acts to authorities due to their "fear of losing" their livelihood, while bringing "reprisal, public embarrassment, shame and humiliation" to them and their families.
The women are seeking a sum of no less than $50 million in damages to all causes of action, as well as a jury trial.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, three of the four plaintiffs were present while the fourth appeared remotely.
Attorney John Harris, who is representing the women, detailed the principal causes of action against Robinson and called the singer's alleged acts "despicable and reprehensible misconduct."
"Our four clients have a common thread. They're Hispanic women who are employed as housekeepers by the Robinsons, earning below minimum wage," he said.
"These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences of being sexually assaulted by Mr. Smokey Robinson and stand up for their rights as well as the rights of other women, particularly those that may be victimized by him in the future," Harris added, calling the lawsuit "the first step of their journey to achieve that."
During the question-and-answer portion of the press conference, attorneys for the Jane Does said that they haven't heard from Robinson and said that he hasn't responded to the complaint or any of the allegations.
In a statement on Wednesday, Robinson's lawyer said, "We will have more to say in the coming days as we make our legal response, and in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words."
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department about a criminal investigation against Robinson.
