Latest news with #FrancesRobinson
Daily Mail
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Smokey Robinson named in fifth sexual misconduct complaint as investigation widens after housekeepers' claims
A fifth woman has come forward accusing Motown legend Smokey Robinson of sexual battery, officially filing a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, according to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ. The woman reportedly spoke with a deputy last Wednesday at the department's Malibu/Lost Hills station, formally lodging her complaint against the 85-year-old singer, whose full name is William Robinson Jr. has reached out to Robinson's reps for comment. Robinson became the subject of a criminal investigation by the department's Special Victims Bureau in May, after four former housekeepers accused him of sexual misconduct. Robinson vehemently denied those initial allegations and told he was 'appalled' by the lawsuit. He has since filed a countersuit against the initial four accusers, alleging extortion, defamation, and elder abuse. The woman reportedly spoke with a deputy last Wednesday at the department's Malibu/Lost Hills station, formally lodging her complaint against the 85-year-old singer, whose full name is William Robinson Jr.; Robinson and wife Frances Robinson (L) in 2024 In June, Robinson claimed the four ex-housekeepers were stalling a rape lawsuit to sabotage his tour and force an 'extortionate' payout. The singer's legal team filed a motion seeking to compel one of the anonymous accusers, known only as Jane Doe. 2, to sit for a deposition - accusing the women of blocking evidence collection while Robinson is on the road. His attorney, Christopher Frost, alleges the women's lawyer, John Harris, 'wants to delay all discovery' until a motion to strike Robinson's counterclaims is decided - a move that could stall the case for months. Frost argues the delay is a strategic attempt to damage Robinson financially during his 50th anniversary A Quiet Storm tour and strengthen the women's settlement demands. 'Plaintiffs have effectively conceded that their intention was to file a salacious lawsuit, do nothing to prosecute it, neuter the Robinsons' ability to defend themselves, and let the lawsuit linger publicly while the Robinsons have to live every day under the unfair specter of public opinion and while Mr. Robinson's tour is negatively affected,' Frost wrote. 'This plays into plaintiffs and cross-defendants' strategy to exact leverage on Mr. and Ms. Robinson.' 'The longer Mr. Robinson's livelihood is harmed, the more pressure there is for the Robinsons to give in to plaintiffs' and cross-defendants' extortionate demands.' Frost claims the women had previously demanded $100 million from Robinson and his wife Frances before filing the civil suit in May - and are now refusing to engage in discovery while letting the allegations fester in the public eye. He's asking the court to compel Jane Doe 2 to appear for a deposition at his Los Angeles law office within two weeks of the motion being heard - and to force the women to cover nearly $5,000 in legal fees Robinson has spent bringing the motion. 'If plaintiffs and cross-defendants are not sanctioned for their abusive behavior, they will expect that they can continue this behavior during the pendency of this case, which will only create more delays and more motion practice,' Frost wrote. 'The utilization of this strategy must be nipped in the bud.' But the women's attorneys blasted the filing as an attempt to intimidate and silence them. 'This motion is a calculated effort to misuse the discovery process in a manner that is both retaliatory and chilling,' lawyers John Harris and Herbert Hayden said in a statement. 'By singling out Jane Doe 2 for a compelled deposition at this early stage, the defendant is engaging in a broader strategy of harassment and coercion - an attempt to retraumatize a survivor of sexual violence under the guise of lawful process.' 'This motion is not about truth-seeking; it is about exerting power. It should be recognized for what it is: a transparent attempt to chill participation in this case and deter other survivors from coming forward. 'We remain steadfast in defending her rights and will hold the Robinsons accountable for any effort to subvert those rights through abusive and vexatious litigation tactics.' The four plaintiffs who are suing Robinson have chosen to remain nameless and are referred to only as Jane Doe in the filings. The civil suit, which also names Robinson's wife Frances Robinson, accuses Robinson of a disturbing pattern of abuse and harassment spanning nearly two decades. The alleged victims worked in his homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas between 2007 and 2024. One of the plaintiffs alleged that Robinson sexually assaulted her several times in his mansion beginning in 2016. The accuser said that Robinson raped her 'without a condom' at least 23 times. He would then threaten her by saying his wife would be 'mean' to her if she didn't comply, the lawsuit states. Another former housekeeper alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Robinson at least seven times between January 2023 and February 2024, when she was 'forced to resign due to repeated sexual assaults'. She claimed that the singer would take his wife to the nail salon on Saturdays and rush home to 'be home alone' with the housekeeper. The third accuser said she was also working as a housekeeper when Robinson attacked her, and alleged a similar pattern of abuse whereby the singer would lure her to his bedroom. She said Robinson raped her at least 20 times between 2012 and 2024, and on one occasion he offered her $500 to 'allow him to orally copulate her', per the lawsuit. The fourth accuser also says she was attacked by Robinson while working as a housekeeper between 2007 and 2024, alleging that he 'never used a condom' while assaulting her in his home. The complainants allege several offenses, including negligence, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, creating a hostile environment and failure to pay minimum wage. The lawsuit came just weeks after Robinson released his latest album 'What The World Needs Now' on April 25.
Fox News
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Smokey Robinson faces new scrutiny after 2015 sexual assault investigation closed
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is once again under scrutiny with renewed allegations of sexual assault. Authorities investigated a previous sexual assault allegation against Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors said Friday. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement Friday. The office said no details would be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, said in a statement they are "pleased" 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."Robinson, 85, was accused of sexual misconduct and false imprisonment May 6 in a $50 million lawsuit filed by four unnamed former employees, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The lawsuit said Robinson harassed and assaulted his former housekeepers who worked at his Chatsworth home between 2006 and 2024. Frances, Robinson's wife of 25 years, was also accused of perpetuating a "hostile work environment." Robinson's attorney previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false." Earlier this week, Robinson and his wife filed a $500 million cross-complaint against the former staff members. In court documents filed Wednesday in LA Superior Court, the couple accuse the four Jane Does and their legal representatives of slander, financial elder abuse, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, civil conspiracy and other claims. The lawsuit alleges that the accusations against Robinson were "fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme." The documents further stated that "Mr. and Ms. Robinson did not view, or treat, people in their employ as just employees. They treated them as extended family." According to the cross-complaint, the Robinsons had vacationed with the accusers, exchanged gifts and celebrated holidays and birthdays together. The lawsuit stated that the plaintiffs "asked for and accepted help from the Robinsons, including several thousands of dollars, monetary support for members of at least one Plaintiff's family, clothes, dental surgery, and even a car." The Jane Does' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, who were named as defendants in the Robinsons' cross-complaint along with their firm Harris & Hayden, responded to the lawsuit in a statement to Fox News Digital. "The cross-complaint filed by Mr. Christopher Frost on behalf of William 'Smokey' Robinson and Frances Robinson is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault," they said. "It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward. This type of retaliatory litigation is precisely what California's anti-SLAPP laws were enacted to prevent." Robinson is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer and was one of the top hitmakers of the era with songs like "Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears."
Los Angeles Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Smokey Robinson's accusers blast his $500-million countersuit as ‘attempt to silence and intimidate'
Smokey Robinson may face more legal heat from the four former employees who accused the Motown legend of sexual assault and failure to pay overtime earlier this month. Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden, who represent Robinson's accusers, said in a statement to The Times on Thursday that their firm will fire back at the singer's $500-million countersuit, 'filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety.' California's anti-SLAPP law protects against frivolous lawsuits. '[The countersuit] is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault,' said the founding partners of the Harris & Hayden law firm. 'It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' Robinson, sued by the former employees on May 6, filed his countercomplaint Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Attorneys for the singer, 85, and his wife Frances Robinson — who is a co-defendant — sued the four accusers and their legal representatives for defamation, false light, financial elder abuse and invasion of privacy, among other counts, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times. The singer's legal filing includes alleged text message exchanges and photos with his accusers that depict a different dynamic than the one described in their initial lawsuit. The employees, who withheld their identities and worked for the high-profile couple during different periods from October 2006 to April 2024, alleged in their $50-million lawsuit that the singer sexually assaulted them on multiple occasions and failed to pay them properly for hours worked. They also claimed Frances Robinson berated them. According to the counterclaim, the former employees had 'stayed with the Robinsons year after year,' 'vacationed together' with the singer's wife and were treated 'as extended family.' Despite this, the spouses believed the former employees 'harbored resentment' and 'sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth,' the complaint claims. The counterclaim cites 'allegations Plaintiffs have recently fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme' and comments the accusers' lawyers allegedly made during a May 6 press conference. The singer also claims his opposition 'participated in a conspiracy to unlawfully enrich themselves at the Robinsons' expense,' legal documents say. Harris and Hayden said the countersuit 'mischaracterizes the facts and seeks to punish his victims for speaking out. '[Plaintiffs] remain committed to seeking justice — not only for themselves but for all survivors who have been silenced by fear of retaliation,' the attorneys added. 'This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others.' In addition to the counterclaim, Robinson's legal team filed a motion to strike the accusers' initial lawsuit, finding issue with their decision to remain anonymous. 'Plaintiffs' concealment of their identities is prejudicing the Robinsons' defense,' the motion alleges. Earlier this month, Robinson's attorney Christopher Frost dismissed the sexual assault lawsuit as an 'ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon,' dubbing the allegations 'vile' and 'false.' For the most part, the singer has kept tight-lipped about the case, which sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He offered a brief response to the Daily Mail earlier this month: 'I am appalled.' Times assistant editor Christie D'Zurilla contributed to this report.
BreakingNews.ie
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Smokey Robinson sues former housekeepers for defamation over rape allegations
Smokey Robinson has filed a defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of rape and prompted a police investigation. Robinson and his wife Frances Robinson filed the counterclaim on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the women and their lawyers, whose allegations, they say, were 'fabricated in an extortionate scheme'. Advertisement The filing is a fast and forceful legal and public pushback from the 85-year-old Motown music luminary in response to the women's May 6 lawsuit and a May 15 announcement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that its Special Victims Bureau is 'actively investigating criminal allegations' against Robinson. The women are seeking at least 50 million dollars, alleging Smokey Robinson repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them in his home when they worked for him between 2007 and 2024. They said Frances Robinson, a co-defendant, enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The counterclaim opens with friendly text messages from the women to contradict their claims against Robinson, whose songs, including Tears Of A Clown and The Tracks Of My Tears, established him among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s. Advertisement The filing says the women 'stayed with the Robinsons year after year', holidayed 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 filing — which includes photos from the holidays and gatherings as exhibits — says that despite the couple's generosity, the women 'secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth'. 'Unfortunately, the depths of Plaintiffs' avarice and greed know no bounds,' the counterclaim says. 'During the very time that the Robinsons were being extraordinarily generous with Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs were concocting an extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons.' Advertisement John Harris and Herbert Hayden, attorneys for the former housekeepers, said in a statement that the defamation suit 'is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault. It is a baseless and vindictive legal manoeuvre designed to re-victimise, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' The lawyers said they intend to get the Robinsons' lawsuit thrown out by invoking California's laws against using the courts to silence and intimidate people who sue. The four women, whose names are withheld in their lawsuit, each allege that Robinson would wait until they were alone with him in his Los Angeles house and then sexually assault and rape them. 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. Advertisement The Sheriff's Department would give no details on its investigation beyond confirming its existence. Robinson, who was a central figure in the Motown Records machine with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, is a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Smokey Robinson sues former housekeepers for defamation over rape allegations
Smokey Robinson has filed a defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of rape and prompted a police investigation. Robinson and his wife Frances Robinson filed the counterclaim Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the women and their lawyers, whose allegations, they say, were 'fabricated in an extortionate scheme.' The filing is a fast and forceful legal and public pushback from the 85-year-old Motown music luminary in response to the women's May 6 lawsuit and a May 15 announcement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that its Special Victims Bureau is 'actively investigating criminal allegations' against Robinson. The women are seeking at least $50 million, alleging Smokey Robinson repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them in his home when they worked for him between 2007 and 2024. They said Frances Robinson, a co-defendant, enabled him and created an abusive workplace. The counterclaim opens with friendly text messages from the women to contradict their claims against Robinson, whose songs, including 'Tears of a Clown' and 'The Tracks of My Tears," established him among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s. The filing 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 filing — which includes photos from the vacations and gatherings as exhibits — says that despite the couple's generosity, the women 'secretly harbored resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth.' 'Unfortunately, the depths of Plaintiffs' avarice and greed know no bounds,' the counterclaim says. 'During the very time that the Robinsons were being extraordinarily generous with Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs were concocting an extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons.' John Harris and Herbert Hayden, attorneys for the former housekeepers, said in a statement that the defamation suit 'is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault. It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' The lawyers said they intend to get the Robinsons' lawsuit thrown out by invoking California's laws against using the courts to silence and intimidate people who sue. The four women, whose names are withheld in their lawsuit, each allege that Robinson would wait until they were alone with him in his Los Angeles house and then sexually assault and rape them. 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. The Sheriff's Department would give no details on its investigation beyond confirming its existence. Robinson, who was a central figure in the Motown Records machine with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, is a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
