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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson files $500m case against rape accusers
Motown legend Smokey Robinson has filed a $500m (£370m) defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who have accused the singer of sexual assault. The legal case filed by the star and his wife Frances on Wednesday in California accused the women of fabricating the sexual assault allegations as part of an "extortionate" lawsuit. The Robinsons say the alleged victims, who filed their case anonomously, went on family holidays with the couple and celebrated holidays together. The singer, who is now also under criminal investigation in Los Angeles over accusations of sexual assault, has denied all the allegations, and his lawyer said those behind the accusations were after his money. Mr Robinson's lawyers also filed a motion to dismiss the women's lawsuit, arguing they should not have been granted anonymity. "The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of plaintiffs; they treated plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity," the lawsuit states. The women filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on 6 May under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the 27-page legal action, they alleged several incidents that they said dated back to 2006, and accused Mr Robinson of pressuring them into sex. All four women, who are of Hispanic descent, said they had not come forward until now because they feared losing their livelihoods, familial reprisal or embarrassment. Some were concerned the allegations could affect their immigration status. They are seeking at least $50m (£38m) in damages and a jury trial. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department then opened its investigation, which the 85-year-old singer said at the time he welcomed "because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing". Mr Robinson was Motown's first hitmaker, writing number one records like Mary Wells' My Guy and The Temptations' My Girl. He was both a talent scout for the record label and one of its most prominent recording artists in his own right, known for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Shop Around and Tears of a Clown. He has spots in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 songs.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson's Sexual Assault Controversy Heats Up With Criminal Investigation
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." 1940–present Motown legend Smokey Robinson is being criminally investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department following allegations of rape and sexual assault from his former employees. The sheriff's department confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages on May 15 but provided no further details. The probe follows a lawsuit brought by four of Robinson's former housekeepers earlier this month. Accusing the musician of being a 'serial and sick rapist,' the lawsuit alleges that the 85-year-old assaulted the unnamed woman on dozens of occasions between 2007 and 2024 while they were employed to clean his three residences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Ventura County, California. The suit also claims Robinson and his wife, Frances, failed to pay the woman minimum wage or overtime. They are seeking $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Chris Frost, denied the allegations against him and objected to the criminal investigation. '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,' Frost said in a statement. Smokey Robinson is a Grammy-winning singer and producer who founded the R&B group The Miracles before embarking on a successful solo career. Known as the 'King of Motown,' the Detroit native is second to only Berry Gordy in the founding of Motown. A prolific songwriter, Robinson is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including 'Tears of a Clown,' 'Tracks of My Tears,' and 'Love Machine.' Robinson also served as vice president of Motown Records, writing and producing hits for groups such as The Temptations and Mary Wells. FULL NAME: William Robinson February 19, 1940BIRTHPLACE: Detroit, MichiganSPOUSES: Claudette Rogers Robinson (1959–1986) and Frances Robinson (2002–present)CHILDREN: Berry, Tamla, and TreyASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Pisces Smokey Robinson was born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Robinson started out singing in local groups. His early exposure to music was quite varied. 'I grew up in a home where I had a great dose of music,' he told Rolling Stone. 'There was a lot of classical, like Beethoven and Chopin, but I also heard everything from gospel to jazz to blues.' In the early 1950s, Robinson formed the Matadors, which later became the world-famous group The Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship. With Robinson as their lead singer, The Miracles scored their first big hit with 1960's 'Shop Around' and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, such as 1962's 'You Really Got a Hold on Me'—later covered by The Beatles—and 1967's 'I Second That Emotion.' Their 1965 album Going To A Go-Go included the popular tracks 'Ooo Baby Baby' and 'The Tracks of My Tears,' which was added to the National Recording Registry in 2007. More than just a frontman, Robinson composed for and produced the group. He worked behind the scenes for other Motown artists, too. Among the songs Robinson penned for Mary Wells was 'My Guy,' a 1964 release that became her only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its follow-up in The Temptations' 'My Girl,' which Robinson cowrote for the group, was another chart-topper. Robinson also contributed to Marvin Gaye's sound, and the two were close friends up until Gaye's tragic death. Altogether, the 'King of Motown' was instrumental to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music. Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983). The mid-1980s were a difficult time for him as he battled a drug addiction. Robinson openly discussed his cocaine problem as well as many other personal topics in his 1989 autobiography, Smokey: Inside My Life. He has credited his recovery from substance abuse to his religious faith. After two previous nominations, Robinson went on to win his first and only Grammy Award in 1987 when his song 'Just To See Her' was named the Best R&B Vocal Performance. This was followed by Double Good Everything (1991) and the Grammy-nominated Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the 2006, Robinson was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the arts and American culture and received an honorary degree from Howard University. That year, he also put out a new album, Timeless Love, which offered Robinson's take on several classic songs, such as Cole Porter's 'Night and Day' and the Gershwin brothers' 'Our Love Is Here to Stay.' Timeless Love garnered a Grammy nod for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, marking Robinson's sixth career nomination. The dedicated entertainer continues to record new music and maintain a busy tour schedule. In 2009, he released the studio album Time Flies When You're Having Fun. Three years later, Robinson gave an impressive performance on the television competition Dancing with the Stars. Also in 2012, The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additional albums from the legendary singer include Smokey & Friends (2014), a collection of duets, and Gasms (2023), his first album in nearly a decade. In February 2025, Robinson embarked on his Legacy Tour. Two months later, he put out an album of covers titled What The World Needs Now. Robinson has also served as a public speaker over the years. Exploring new business opportunities, he formed a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, which includes a line of ready-to-eat meals. In May 2025, the singer was sued by four former housekeepers, who accused him of raping and sexual assaulting them over the course of nearly two decades. Robinson has denied any wrongdoing. Later that month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that Robinson was under criminal investigation in connection with the allegations. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault claims
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation in Los Angeles over accusations of sexual assault. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed it had launched a formal inquiry into the allegations, saying the probe was in the "early stages". The investigation comes after a lawsuit was filed last week by four anonymous housekeepers against the 85-year-old singer-songwriter, accusing him sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence. Mr Robinson has denied the allegations. His lawyer has said those behind the accusations are after the musician's money, and he welcomed the police investigation "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," the attorney, Christopher Frost, said in a statement to the BBC. He argued the police investigation was only opened because the plaintiffs filed a formal report with their allegations and said the claims were "manufactured" and designed to "tarnish the good names" of the musician and his wife, who is also named in the lawsuit and accused of contributing to a hostile work environment. The sheriff's department told the BBC in a statement that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson.' The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment." The women filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on 6 May under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the 27-page legal action, they allege several incidents that they say dated back to 2006, and accuse Mr Robinson of pressuring them into sex. All four women, who are of Hispanic descent, said they had not come forward until now because they feared losing their livelihoods, familial reprisal or embarrassment. Some were concerned the allegations could affect their immigration status. They are seeking at least $50m (£38m) in damages and a jury trial. Mr Robinson was Motown's first hitmaker, writing number one records like Mary Wells' My Guy and The Temptations' My Girl. He was both a talent scout for the record label and one of its most prominent recording artists in his own right, known for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Shop Around and Tears of a Clown. He has spots in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 songs. The women's lawyers held a press conference last week after filing the lawsuit, accusing Mr Robinson of being a "serial and sick rapist" who "must be stopped". Mr Robinson's legal team called the event a "bizarre" attempt "to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create". "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," Mr Frost said, noting that the musician's legal team plans to ask for the case to be dismissed. "We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold." Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by four women Smokey Robinson denies sexual assault allegations
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by four women
Four anonymous housekeepers are suing Motown legend Smokey Robinson for $50 million (£37 million), accusing him of sexual assault. A complaint filed in Los Angeles superior court accuses the 85-year-old of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence, in addition to a number of labour violations related to wages, breaks, meal times and overtime pay. The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, claiming she contributed to a hostile work environment, and used "ethnically pejorative words and language". Representatives for the Robinsons did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the accusations could not be independently verified. Robinson was Motown's first hitmaker, writing number one hits like Mary Wells' My Guy and the Temptations' My Girl. Born William Robinson Jr in Michigan, he was both a talent scout for the record label and one of its most prominent recording artists, known for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Shop Around and Tears of a Clown. He has spots in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Halls of Fame, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 songs. Robinson's second wife, Frances, is also named in the lawsuit [Getty Images] Robinson's reputation and stature was an intimidating factor for his accusers, who were made to feel "powerless", their lawyer said at a press conference in Los Angeles. "They're Hispanic women who were employed by the Robinsons earning below minimum wage," said John Harris. "As low-wage women in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults." The women are suing under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4, due to the sexual misconduct allegations, including rape, being levelled against the musician. Three are former housekeepers and one was the singer's personal assistant, cook and hairdresser, according to court documents. In the lawsuit, all four women claim that Robinson would summon them to various areas of his properties in Chatsworth, Bell Canyon and Las Vegas, at times when his wife was away. Sometimes emerging naked from a shower, he forced them to have various types of sex over a number of years, starting in 2006, the lawsuit alleges. Jane Does 1, 3 and 4 all allege Robinson sexually assaulted them in the "blue bedroom" of his Chatsworth residence, claiming he would lay down a towel to protect the bed sheets prior to the assaults. Jane Doe 2's allegations state that Robinson raped her in the laundry room and garage of his Chatsworth residence, where closed-circuit cameras were unable to see. The women claim that during the alleged assaults, Robinson used physical barriers and threats of force to prevent them from fleeing. The lawsuit also includes several allegations of workplace violations. All four women say they worked 10 hours a day, for six days a week without being paid minimum wage or overtime. They also claim to have worked holidays without receiving a holiday rate. According to their lawsuit, the employees all quit because of the alleged sexual misconduct and hostile work environment. The BBC has contacted Robinson's representatives for a response to the lawsuit. No police reports or criminal charges have been filed against the musician. A spokesperson for Los Angeles County District Attorney said the women's claims were not under review because law enforcement had not presented a case. Los Angeles police said they had no statement on the matter.
