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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson Responds to Bombshell Sexual Assault Lawsuit With His Own Bombshell Claims
Legendary singer Smokey Robinson isn't taking those surprising sexual assault lawsuit lightly. In fact, his latest move proves he just may be gearing up for a big fight and we've got all the details. As we previously told you, four women have accused the Motown legend of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and creating a hostile work environment. His wife, Frances, has also been named in the suit. The women in particular are all allegedly former housekeepers of Robinson who claim that his wife had 'full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct' but 'failed to take the appropriate corrective action' to prevent 'deviant misconduct' from Robinson. They're seeking $5o million in damages. In the immediate aftermath, Robinson's attorney spoke out on behalf of him, describing the suit as an 'ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon' and the accusations as 'vile' and 'false.' Now, Robinson is taking further action to clear his name by filing a $500 million defamation countersuit against his accusers. Per court documents obtained by PEOPLE on Wednesday, the 'Cruisin'' singer is countersuing over allegations of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, financial elder abuse and more. The documents claim that the women lobbed 'gratuitous and slanderous allegations' against him, specifically citing a May 6 press conference in which 'The Tears of a Clown' singer was allegedly referred to as a 'serial and sick rapist.' 'The statements were false, and Plaintiffs knew them to be false,' the countersuit read. 'Nevertheless, they made the statements, and undoubtedly many people believe the statements to be true.' It later added: 'The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of Plaintiffs; they treated Plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity. Unfortunately, the depths of the Plaintiffs' avarice and greed knows no bounds.' The countersuit also went on to say that Robinson's wife Frances was particularly distraught and felt betrayed by the accusations and their allegations of financial elder abuse stem from the fact that the four women's claims have 'caused the Robinsons, who are senior citizens, loss of income and assets set aside for retirement or for personal or family care and maintenance.' Additionally, Robinson alleges that this suit only came about after he and his wife rejected the women's demands of $100 million. Lawyers representing the unidentified women have since responded to Robinson's countersuit in statement, calling it 'a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' They also said that their clients remain dedicated to receiving justice in this case and will file an anti-SLAPP motion in an attempt to get rid of the 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singer's suit altogether. 'This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others,' the four women's response read in part. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Japan Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Police investigating Smokey Robinson after sex assault lawsuit
Smokey Robinson faces claims that he repeatedly sexually assaulted four of his housekeepers Motown legend Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation, law enforcement in Los Angeles said Thursday, just days after he was sued by four former housekeepers who allege the soul singer repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson,'" said a statement sent to AFP. "The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment," it added. The development comes after a multimillion dollar lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court claiming the 85-year-old forced himself on female employees multiple times over a number of years, often when his wife was not at home. The sheriff's department would not confirm the substance of their investigation, but lawyers for the women in the suit told AFP their clients were cooperating with the probe. "We are pleased to learn that the LA County Sheriff's Dept has opened a criminal investigation into our clients' claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson," John Harris and Herbert Hayden told AFP in a joint statement. "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." In the suit filed this month, one plaintiff alleges the "Tracks of My Tears" singer would summon her to his bedroom in his Los Angeles area home, and greet her wearing only his underwear. He would then sexually assault her, despite her protestations, with the suit claiming there were seven such attacks between March 2023 and when she felt compelled to resign in February 2024. Another former housekeeper alleges Robinson assaulted her more than 20 times over a four-year period, while a third says in the suit that she was "sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped" throughout her 12-year employment until 2024. The fourth woman says the singer began assaulting her in 2007 when she traveled with him to his Las Vegas home. None of the women are named in the suit, which is common in cases involving claims of sexual assault. The suit, which is seeking at least $50 million in damages, says none of the women reported the assaults at the time because they were intimidated by Robinson's celebrity, and feared attacks on their character. Robinson was one of the founding members of The Miracles, a Detroit-based outfit that came together in the 1950s. The group had dozens of chart hits, including the smash "The Tears of a Clown" in 1967. © 2025 AFP
France 24
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
US cops investigating Smokey Robinson after sex assault lawsuit
"The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson,'" said a statement sent to AFP. "The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment," it added. The development comes after a multimillion dollar lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court claiming the 85-year-old forced himself on female employees multiple times over a number of years, often when his wife was not at home. The sheriff's department would not confirm the substance of their investigation, but lawyers for the women in the suit told AFP their clients were cooperating with the probe. "We are pleased to learn that the LA County Sheriff's Dept has opened a criminal investigation into our clients' claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson," John Harris and Herbert Hayden told AFP in a joint statement. "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." In the suit filed this month, one plaintiff alleges the "Tracks of My Tears" singer would summon her to his bedroom in his Los Angeles area home, and greet her wearing only his underwear. He would then sexually assault her, despite her protestations, with the suit claiming there were seven such attacks between March 2023 and when she felt compelled to resign in February 2024. Another former housekeeper alleges Robinson assaulted her more than 20 times over a four-year period, while a third says in the suit that she was "sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped" throughout her 12-year employment until 2024. The fourth woman says the singer began assaulting her in 2007 when she traveled with him to his Las Vegas home. None of the women are named in the suit, which is common in cases involving claims of sexual assault. The suit, which is seeking at least $50 million in damages, says none of the women reported the assaults at the time because they were intimidated by Robinson's celebrity, and feared attacks on their character. Robinson was one of the founding members of The Miracles, a Detroit-based outfit that came together in the 1950s. The group had dozens of chart hits, including the smash "The Tears of a Clown" in 1967.
RTHK
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation US singer Smokey Robinson pictured at the 50th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles in 2022. File photo: AFP Motown legend Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation, law enforcement in Los Angeles said on Thursday, just days after he was sued by four former housekeepers who allege the soul singer repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson,'" said a statement sent to AFP. The development comes after a multimillion dollar lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court claiming the 85-year-old forced himself on female employees multiple times over a number of years, often when his wife was not at home. The sheriff's department would not confirm the substance of their investigation, but lawyers for the women in the suit told AFP their clients were cooperating with the probe. One plaintiff alleges the "Tracks of My Tears" singer would summon her to his bedroom in his Los Angeles area home, and greet her wearing only his underwear. He would then sexually assault her, despite her protestations, with the suit claiming there were seven such attacks between March 2023 and when she felt compelled to resign in February 2024. Another former housekeeper alleges Robinson assaulted her more than 20 times over a four-year period, while a third says in the suit that she was "sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped" throughout her 12-year employment until 2024. The fourth woman says the singer began assaulting her in 2007 when she travelled with him to his Las Vegas home. None of the women are named in the case, which is common in cases involving claims of sexual assault. The lawsuit, which is seeking at least US$50 million in damages, says none of the women reported the assaults at the time because they were intimidated by Robinson's celebrity, and feared attacks on their character. Robinson was one of the founding members of The Miracles, a Detroit-based outfit that came together in the 1950s. The group had dozens of chart hits, including the smash "The Tears of a Clown" in 1967. (AFP)
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
US cops investigating Smokey Robinson after sex assault lawsuit
LOS ANGELES: Motown legend Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation, law enforcement in Los Angeles said Thursday, just days after he was sued by four former housekeepers who allege the soul singer repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them. 'The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson,'' said a statement sent to AFP. 'The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment,' it added. The development comes after a multimillion dollar lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court claiming the 85-year-old forced himself on female employees multiple times over a number of years, often when his wife was not at home. The sheriff's department would not confirm the substance of their investigation, but lawyers for the women in the suit told AFP their clients were cooperating with the probe. 'We are pleased to learn that the LA County Sheriff's Dept has opened a criminal investigation into our clients' claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson,' John Harris and Herbert Hayden told AFP in a joint statement. '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.' In the suit filed this month, one plaintiff alleges the 'Tracks of My Tears' singer would summon her to his bedroom in his Los Angeles area home, and greet her wearing only his underwear. He would then sexually assault her, despite her protestations, with the suit claiming there were seven such attacks between March 2023 and when she felt compelled to resign in February 2024. Another former housekeeper alleges Robinson assaulted her more than 20 times over a four-year period, while a third says in the suit that she was 'sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped' throughout her 12-year employment until 2024. The fourth woman says the singer began assaulting her in 2007 when she traveled with him to his Las Vegas home. None of the women are named in the suit, which is common in cases involving claims of sexual assault. The suit, which is seeking at least $50 million in damages, says none of the women reported the assaults at the time because they were intimidated by Robinson's celebrity, and feared attacks on their character. Robinson was one of the founding members of The Miracles, a Detroit-based outfit that came together in the 1950s. The group had dozens of chart hits, including the smash 'The Tears of a Clown' in 1967.
