Latest news with #You'veReallyGotaHoldonMe
NBC News
3 days 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.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Smokey Robinson files $500m counterclaim lawsuit against accusers
Motown legend Smokey Robinson has launched a $500 million defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who earlier this month accused him of sexual assault and abuse spanning more than a decade. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, the suit alleges that the women – identified in the original filing as Jane Does 1–4 – fabricated their allegations to extort the 85-year-old singer. Robinson's legal team has also filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the assault lawsuit, arguing it was improperly submitted under false names. Robinson, whose career spans hits such as 'The Tracks of My Tears' and 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me,' has denied all claims of misconduct. The women, all of Hispanic descent, allege they were repeatedly assaulted while employed as housekeepers at the singer's Chatsworth residence between 2012 and 2024. Their lawsuit, filed earlier in May, is seeking at least $50 million in damages and accuses Robinson's wife, Frances, of complicity in the alleged abuse and of using ethnically derogatory language. One woman alleges Robinson assaulted her at least 23 times between 2014 and 2020, often in areas without surveillance. Another says the singer performed a ritual involving appearing nearly naked and placing a towel on his bed prior to alleged assaults. Two others describe similar experiences, with one claiming seven incidents over 13 months of employment. Robinson's defamation complaint names the four Jane Does, their attorney John Harris, his law partner Herbert Hayden, and their Los Angeles-based firm Harris & Hayden. The lawsuit singles out Harris's statements during the press conference, in which he labelled Robinson a 'serial and sick rapist.' In response, Harris and Hayden dismissed the defamation action as a 'baseless and vindictive legal manoeuvre' designed to 're-victimise' survivors. They announced plans to file a motion under California's anti-SLAPP statute, which protects individuals from lawsuits intended to suppress free speech on public matters. Earlier, it was also reported that Robinson is under criminal investigation in Los Angeles, though no charges have been filed to date. Robinson has previously stated he welcomed the inquiry, asserting, 'exposure to the truth is a powerful thing.' Robinson's civil suit claims defamation, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. He is seeking damages of no less than $500 million.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson Under Criminal Investigation For Alleged Sexual Assaults
Smokey Robinson, the soulful voice behind some of Motown's most timeless classics, is now at the center of a criminal investigation stemming from serious sexual assault allegations. According to NPR, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that they are actively investigating the 85-year-old music legend, following a civil lawsuit filed last week by four former housekeepers. The women, identified only as 'Jane Does 1 through 4,' accuse Robinson of 'sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment,' and 'maintaining a hostile work environment — allegations that span back to 2014. The women are seeking $50,000,000 in damages and claim they endured years of abuse while working in the Robinson household. Their attorney, John Harris, claims the four clients share a common thing: all are Hispanic women, all were undocumented at the time, and all were allegedly paid less than minimum wage while facing sexual violence and fear of deportation. Harris noted that their alleged vulnerable status kept them from coming forward sooner. During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon (May 13), Harris described Robinson as a 'serial assaulter,' stating that the women stayed silent for years out of fear. As low-wage workers living paycheck to paycheck, Harris said they felt intimidated by Robinson's fame and influence. He also noted that the women had been threatened, though he did not elaborate on the specifics. One of the most harrowing accounts came from Jane Doe No. 1, who claims that over a period of time, Robinson would summon her to his bedroom — described in court filings as the 'blue room.' She claimed that after showering, he would emerge naked and allegedly force her into non-consensual sex on at least seven different occasions. She reportedly quit in February of this year after she could no longer endure the abuse. The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, as a co-defendant. According to the plaintiffs, she allegedly played a role in fostering the hostile work environment the women say they suffered in silence for years. Robinson, however, has categorically denied the claims. While briefly speaking with the Daily Mail about the allegations, he reportedly said, 'I am appalled. I can't speak about this right now.' His attorney, Christopher Frost, also made a statement regarding the accusations calling the lawsuit 'a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion' and 'a manufactured' attack on his reputation. He expressed confidence that a full review of the facts will clear the singer of any wrongdoing. 'Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create,' he shared. The allegations come as a shock as the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' has sustained his illustrious career as a pillar in Black culture and music. As frontman of The Miracles and later a solo artist, his pen and falsetto helped define the Motown Sound. With classics like 'The Tears of a Clown,' 'Being With You,' and more, Robinson earned his spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame amongst many other accolades. More from Smokey Robinson Denies 'Vile, False' Sexual Assault Claims Terrence Howard's Daughter, Heaven, Reveals She Was Molested By Her Cousin Smokey Robinson Reportedly Breaks Silence On Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson denies claims of sexual assault, attorney says
An attorney for Smokey Robinson on Wednesday called accusations of sexual assault against the Motown legend false and said that the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' singer will respond in the coming days. Four former housekeepers of Robinson's in a lawsuit filed Tuesday accused him of sexually assaulting them, which was alleged to have gone on for years. The lawsuit seeks no less than $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, in a statement late Wednesday called the lawsuit "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon." "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create," Frost said in the statement. Frost also said that "in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words." The lawsuit filed against Robinson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleged that the assaults largely occurred at Robinson's home in Chatsworth, a Los Angeles neighborhood in the far northwestern section of the city. The women who sued are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1-4. Three of them appeared Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles wearing masks, and a fourth appeared virtually. One of their attorneys, John Harris, said at that event that the women 'were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage." "As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," Harris said. The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras. The suit alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a 'ritual' of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked. According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled 'for what was about to occur.' The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times. All of the plaintiffs accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, who is also named as a defendant, of perpetuating a hostile work environment by screaming at them and using ethnically pejorative language. Robinson 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. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, said they will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. He also criticized the lawyers for the women over the press conference, saying that they "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context." "We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," Frost said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Smokey Robinson denies claims of sexual assault, attorney says
An attorney for Smokey Robinson on Wednesday called accusations of sexual assault against the Motown legend false and said that the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' singer will respond in the coming days. Four former housekeepers of Robinson's in a lawsuit filed Tuesday accused him of sexually assaulting them, which was alleged to have gone on for years. The lawsuit seeks no less than $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, in a statement late Wednesday called the lawsuit "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon." "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create," Frost said in the statement. Frost also said that "in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words." The lawsuit filed against Robinson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleged that the assaults largely occurred at Robinson's home in Chatsworth, a Los Angeles neighborhood in the far northwestern section of the city. The women who sued are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1-4. Three of them appeared Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles wearing masks, and a fourth appeared virtually. One of their attorneys, John Harris, said at that event that the women 'were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage." "As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," Harris said. The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras. The suit alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a 'ritual' of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked. According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled 'for what was about to occur.' The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times. All of the plaintiffs accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, who is also named as a defendant, of perpetuating a hostile work environment by screaming at them and using ethnically pejorative language. Robinson 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. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, said they will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. He also criticized the lawyers for the women over the press conference, saying that they "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context." "We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," Frost said.
