LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division mentioned Thursday that it has opened a felony investigation into rape and sexual assault allegations towards Motown music luminary Smokey Robinson.
The division mentioned in a press release that its Particular Victims Bureau is “actively investigating criminal allegations” towards Robinson.
Final week, 4 former housekeepers of Robinson filed a lawsuit alleging that he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them, in some instances for years, whereas they labored for him.
The swimsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom seeks no less than $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the ladies say happened between 2007 and 2024.
Robinson’s lawyer mentioned there was no advantage to the allegations towards the 85-year-old musical icon who was among the many largest hitmakers of the Sixties.
The legal professional, Christopher Frost, mentioned Tuesday the one purpose for the swimsuit is “unadulterated avarice.”
“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 mentioned.
John Harris and Herbert Hayden, the legal professionals for the ladies, say they’re happy to be taught that regulation enforcement is pursuing the allegations.
“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,” the legal professionals mentioned.
The sheriff’s assertion mentioned the investigation is in its early phases, and no different particulars can be supplied.
Robinson’s legal professional mentioned final week that the allegations “defy credulity” and are filled with inconsistencies.
The 4 girls, whose names haven’t been made public, every allege that Smokey Robinson would wait till he was alone with them in his Los Angeles home after which sexually assault and rape them. One lady mentioned she labored for Robinson from 2012 till 2024 and was assaulted no less than 20 instances. One other mentioned she labored for him from 2014 till 2020 and was assaulted no less than 23 instances.
Harris known as Robinson a “serial and sick rapist” who have to be stopped.
The entire accusers mentioned they finally stop over the assaults. And all mentioned they feared coming ahead over fears of retaliation, public disgrace and potential results on their immigration standing.
Robinson churned out a bunch of hits as a central a part of the Motown Data machine — each together with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs together with “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” He additionally wrote and co-wrote songs for different Motown artists, together with the Temptations’ “My Girl.”
He’s a member of each the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame and the Songwriters Corridor of Fame.
