Latest news with #TracksofMyTears
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
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson sues rape accusers for defamation, elder abuse
Musical legend Smokey Robinson has filed legal documents in Los Angeles in response to allegations of sexual assault. He is suing his accusers for $500 million (£370 million). The Motown legend states that he and his wife, Frances, have consistently treated people who work for them with nothing but respect, according to legal documents obtained by The Tracks of My Tears singer likened the legal efforts of the four former employees suing him to a shakedown. He has staunchly denied abusing any of the women, and even compared them to "extended family members". The singer-songwriter and his lawyer noted that he and Frances had gifted the four plaintiffs concert tickets, cash for emergency dental procedures, and other items over the timeframe in which they worked for him. The couple have named the four plaintiffs in the lawsuit, alleging defamation of character, emotional distress, financial elder abuse, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy, among other charges. Robinson has requested that his accusers be publicly named, as the media has already commenced reporting details of the story, making it impractical for them to stay anonymous. Robinson was named in the $50 million (£37 million) suit from the four plaintiffs, who say the veteran performer committed acts of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and gender violence. Robinson has denied all of the allegations against him, which are under investigation.
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
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
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation over sexual assault allegations in Los Angeles
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is currently under criminal investigation in Los Angeles following sexual assault allegations made by four anonymous housekeepers. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed the probe is in its early stages. The allegations, detailed in a lawsuit filed on May 6, accuse the 85-year-old singer-songwriter of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence. The women, who remain unnamed in court documents as Jane Doe 1 through 4, claim incidents dating back to 2006 and allege that Robinson pressured them into sexual acts. All four plaintiffs are of Hispanic descent and stated they delayed coming forward due to fear of job loss, family repercussions, embarrassment, and concerns about their immigration status. They are seeking at least $50 million in damages and a jury trial. Robinson has strongly denied the accusations. His attorney, Christopher Frost, described the allegations as a financial ploy and 'manufactured' to damage the reputations of Robinson and his wife, who is also named in the suit and accused of fostering a hostile work environment. Frost welcomed the police investigation, stating that it would reveal the truth and that Robinson had done nothing wrong. He called the public statements from the plaintiffs' legal team a 'bizarre' attempt to create a media spectacle. Robinson is a celebrated figure in music history, known as Motown's first hitmaker and credited with writing classics such as 'My Girl' and 'Tracks of My Tears.' He is a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau confirmed it is actively investigating the allegations but declined further comment. Robinson's legal team plans to respond formally and seek dismissal of the case.
