Motown star Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by former housekeepers
Motown star Smokey Robinson is being sued over allegations of sexual assault and battery, as well as workplace negligence, by four women who worked for him as housekeepers at his California home.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, also included allegations of false imprisonment, gender violence and creating a hostile work environment. It also named his wife, Frances Robinson, as a defendant. The women, who identified themselves as Jane Does to protect their privacy, seek a trial and $50 million in damages.
The lawsuit alleges sexual assault incidents and hostile work environment situations that took place from 2007 until April 2024 when the women were employed at Robinson's home in the Chatsworth neighbourhood of Los Angeles. One woman alleged she was also raped at other Robinson homes, in the Bell Canyon neighbourhood of Los Angeles and in Las Vegas. Among several accusations, the women accused Robinson, 85, of ordering them to his bedroom or other areas of his property, where he would allegedly sexually assault or rape them.
'Defendants' conduct was outrageous, despicable, and intolerable in a civilised society,' the complaint said.
The lawsuit comes as Robinson, a legendary singer, songwriter, producer and music executive, has been touring to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his album A Quiet Storm.
Representatives for Smokey and Frances Robinson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The unnamed women accused Robinson, also known as William Robinson Jr., of touching their 'entire bodies, including their vaginas, breasts, legs, abdomen, lips, and face,' while they did not consent to 'sexual contact or touching,' according to the complaint.
According to the lawsuit, three of the women alleged Robinson performed a 'ritual' before each encounter in which he summoned or forced them into his bedroom while he was naked or clothed only in his underwear, then laid out a towel on the bed.
'Plaintiffs explicitly told Defendant Robinson on numerous occasions that they were not interested in his advances and objected to his forceful, physical, sexual, and harmful conduct,' the lawsuit alleges.
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Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Sky News AU
Australian man holds head, appears to cry in public appearance after being arrested in Bali on drug allegations
Australian man Puridas Robinson has covered his face and appeared to cry in a public shaming after being arrested in Bali on drug allegations. The Daily Telegraph reports Mr Robinson, who is facing a prison sentence in the Indonesian province, was visibly emotional when he was placed in front of media at a press conference in Bali's capital Denpasar on Thursday. The 40-year-old originally from Queensland was arrested at a Denpasar address on May 29 and has admitted to using cryptocurrency to purchase 120g of cannabis, according to the masthead. His arrest came after Indian man Harsh Nowlakha, 31, was allegedly caught by authorities attempting to smuggle cannabis into Bali via the island's international airport, The Daily Telegraph reported. According to the masthead, Mr Nowlakha has asserted the cannabis was bound for the Australian man's address, but Mr Robinson has denied ordering the drugs. A police raid of the Australian's Bali residence reportedly located 20g of cannabis as well as small plastic bags and scales. Pictures of the Denpasar press conference on Thursday show Mr Nowlakha, who has also been arrested, among the group of detainees that were brought to face media. Drugs displayed in plastic bags were held up at the press stand-up next to Mr Robinson. The Daily Telegraph has reported that Mr Nowlakha was allegedly found at Bali's international airport with 600g of cannabis in his possession. Both the Indian man and Mr Robinson are reportedly two of five people arrested on the same day that included two Kazakhstan nationals and an American. Fellow Australian national Lamar Ahchee, a business managed originally from Cairns, faces the death penalty after being arrested in the Indonesian province last month for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into the country. Police have alleged Mr Ahchee aided in smuggling 1.8 kilograms of the drug into Bali. Mr Ahchee's lawyer has since claimed his client did not know the package he allegedly smuggled contained drugs. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs' Smartraveller website outlines that penalties for drug offences in Indonesia includes 'heavy fines, lengthy prison sentences and the death penalty'. 'Do not possess or use illegal drugs in Indonesia. Police target tourist destinations and events,' reads the website, which issues official travel information for Australians heading oversees.
The Advertiser
31-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Smokey Robinson was investigated for 2015 sex assault
Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, prosecutors say. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago." "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false". The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ. On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme". A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.". They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice". Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names. They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car". The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth." Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, prosecutors say. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago." "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false". The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ. On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme". A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.". They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice". Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names. They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car". The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth." Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, prosecutors say. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago." "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false". The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ. On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme". A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.". They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice". Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names. They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car". The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth." Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, prosecutors say. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago." "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false". The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ. On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme". A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.". They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice". Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names. They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car". The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth."
West Australian
31-05-2025
- West Australian
Smokey Robinson was investigated for 2015 sex assault
Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of insufficient evidence, prosecutors say. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago." "One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said. "Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here." Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false". The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ. On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme". A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.". They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice". Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names. They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times. They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car". The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth."
