Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Investigation Opened as Singer's Attorney Slams 'Desperate Attempt'
Smokey Robinson is now facing a sexual assault investigation after four former housekeepers filed a $50 million lawsuit against him
Robinson's attorney Christopher Frost called the investigation a "desperate attempt"
The plaintiffs' attorneys were "pleased" an investigation was openedSmokey Robinson is now being investigated for sexual assault after in light of the allegations leveled against him in a $50 million lawsuit filed by four former housekeepers.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, May 15, attorney Christopher Frost slammed the investigation as a "desperate attempt" as the women "continue to hide their identities in what he calls "a manufactured lawsuit."
He claimed that police are now "required to investigate" because the plaintiffs filed a police report after they filed a $50 million lawsuit against the 85-year-old American icon, where he was accused of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and creating a hostile work environment by four women who previously worked for the star and his wife, Frances, for nearly 20 years.
"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," said Frost. "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 plaintiffs' attorneys, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, also shared a statement with PEOPLE on Thursday, May 15 about the forthcoming sexual assault investigation, saying they were "pleased" that a "criminal investigation" against Robinson had been opened.
"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," they said.
On May 6, Robinson was sued for $50 million in a sexual assault lawsuit.
The women, who all remained anonymous, claimed that Robinson 'repeatedly forced his fingers and penis into their vaginas, causing severe and excruciating pain' without consent, according to the complaint. They also alleged he 'physical barriers, force, threats of force' and more to stop them from leaving during the alleged assaults, like locking the door.
Also named in the suit is Robinson's wife Frances, whom he married in 2002.
The plaintiffs claim that she had 'full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct' and 'failed to take the appropriate corrective action' to prevent his 'deviant misconduct,' even after settling cases with other women who experienced similar alleged assaults by the Motown star.
In the complaint, each woman claims to have resigned from her role because of Robinson's alleged misconduct. The plaintiffs claim they did not report Robinson's alleged abuse to authorities due to fear of 'losing their livelihood, familial reprisal, public embarrassment, shame and humiliation,' and also because they felt 'threatened and intimidated' by the artist's celebrity status.
In the suit, Jane Doe 1 claims she was assaulted by Robinson at least seven times, while Jane Doe 2 claims she was assaulted by Robinson a minimum of 23 times. According to the complaint, Jane Doe 3 claims Robinson 'raped' her 'at least 20 times' throughout 12 years. Meanwhile, Jane Doe 4 said she was first raped by the Robinson in 2007, and the alleged assaults "continued" before she quit in 2024.
On May 7, Robinson told the Daily Mail that he was 'appalled' by the allegations in a brief phone call.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the plaintiffs' attorneys defended their clients' "truthful claims, which are neither false nor vile," and described Robinson's "despicable criminal acts."
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