Latest news with #LosAngelesCountySheriff'sDepartment
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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."
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
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."
NBC News
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Smokey Robinson was accused of sex assault in 2015, but officials had insufficient evidence for charges, DA says
LOS ANGELES — A sexual assault allegation was made against Motown legend Smokey Robinson in 2015, but no charges were filed because of inasufficient evidence, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. The decade-old allegation, which was presented to the prosecutor's office by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is not connected to a recent civil suit that accuses Robinson of sexual assault, attorneys for the plaintiffs in that matter said. Robinson, 85, has not been charged with any crime and has denied any misconduct. The celebrity news website TMZ was first to report the 2015 investigation Friday. 'We discovered that our office was presented with a sexual assault allegation against Mr. Robinson in 2015 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,' the district attorney's office said in a statement Friday. 'In that matter, a declination of charges was made based on insufficient evidence,' the district attorney's office said. 'We are not able to provide further information at this time because of an ongoing law enforcement investigation.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that it conducted an investigation and that no charges were ever filed. "Due to the confidential nature of the investigation, we cannot provide more information," th sheriff's department said in a statement Friday. Earlier this month, Robinson was sued by four former housekeepers who have accused the "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" singer of sexual assault. The suit, which seeks at least $50 million, also names Robinson's wife and accused her of knowing about the allegations. Robinson has denied the claims, and this week countersued the four women and their attorneys, alleging defamation and seeking at least $500 million. Attorney Christopher Frost, who is representing Robinson and his wife, said his client maintains his innocence. "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." Attorneys for the women suing Robinson said Friday that the declination of the criminal case in 2015 only means there was a lack of evidence. The person who made the allegation in 2015 is not any of the four women who are suing Robinson, according to the attorneys, John Harris and Herbert Hayden. "The statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirms that charges were not filed against Mr. Robinson due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit," Harris and Hayden said. "This underscores the significant challenges victims face when reporting incidents of sexual assault, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful and well-known figure," they said. On May 15, , citing a law enforcement source that it did not name. Robinson is an iconic American soul singer who has had a star-studded career spanning more than 70 years. The recording, producing and songwriting legend was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 arrested after nearly 300 stolen bikes recovered
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has recovered the majority of the hundreds of bicycles stolen en route to Los Angeles County, and five people have been arrested for being the alleged masterminds behind the heist. Sheriff's officials on Thursday identified the following people as organizers of the theft: Samvel Karapetyan, 38 Vazgen Avagyan, 36 Narek Badalyan, 32 Vladimir Gyulankaryan, 32 Davit Grigoryan, 40 While investigators are still looking into whether any of these five were personally involved in the thefts, the department said they oversaw the plan to steal 337 bicycles from Utah-based ARI Bikes on April 21, a theft of merchandise valued at $1.7 million. 'These individuals are suspected of orchestrating theft operations by redirecting truck drivers and using box trucks and passenger vehicles to transport large quantities of stolen cargo,' the LASD said in a news release. Of those 337 bikes, 288 of them were recovered during the recent service of two search warrants at multiple locations connected to three separate investigations. Jail records indicate the five were all arrested on May 7 in the City of Industry, and each has since been freed on $100,000 bond. Capt. Calvin Mah of the Major Crimes Bureau said their Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team is 'dedicated to combatting retail and cargo theft.' 'We are specifically trained to investigate all major theft groups as their criminal activities adversely affect the community,' Mah said. 'When these theft incidents occur, our detectives will work with all community members who are willing to provide information which can lead to an arrest. I am proud of our detectives' efforts in bringing these suspects into custody. I am also encouraging all community members to notify us when they have information related to retail or cargo theft.' To anonymously report information on cargo thefts or other crimes, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
