Smokey Robinson criminally investigated after sexual assault allegations

Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson is being criminally investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department following a lawsuit accusing the “Just to See Her” singer of sexual assault, false imprisonment, and more.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA ‘Smokey Robinson.’ The investigation is in the early stages,” the Sheriff’s Department announced on Thursday in a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly.

On May 6, four women formerly employed by Robinson as housekeepers sued the Grammy-winning singer and producer, 85, alleging sexual assault, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, creating a hostile work environment, and several labor code violations. All four plaintiffs were identified as Jane Doe, and also named Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, as a defendant, claiming she “perpetuated a hostile work environment” and failed to protect them.

EW has reached out to representatives for Robinson for comment.

John Harris and Herbert Hayden, lawyers from the firm representing Robinson’s accusers, said in a statement shared with EW, “We are pleased to learn that the L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. has opened a criminal investigation into our clients’ claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson. 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.”

Robinson has denied the allegations.

“It is clear to us what is happening here,” Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, stated in a lengthy response to the criminal investigation announcement. “Plaintiffs filed a police report only after they filed a $50 million lawsuit. This means only that the police are now required to investigate. We welcome that investigation, which involves Plaintiffs who continue to hide their identities, because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing.”

“We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong,” Frost continued, “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 record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice.”

The plaintiffs in the suit brought against Robinson are seeking at least $50 million in damages.

“We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped,” Harris claimed in a May 6 press conference. “It’s a serious matter, and the assaults against these women were horrendous and despicable.”

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According to the complaint reviewed by EW, one of Robinson’s accusers began working for the musician and his wife as early as 2006. Two of the Jane Does claim Robinson raped them, and Does 1, 2, and 3 also stated that they feared a “possible adverse effect on [their] immigration status.”

Robinson was the founder and frontman of the Motown group the Miracles, which had a number of hits in the ʼ60s that went on to be classics, including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “I Second That Emotion,” “The Tears of a Clown,” “Shop Around,” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” He also wrote such hits as “Two Lovers” (Mary Wells), “My Girl” (the Temptations), and “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Marvin Gaye).

He won his first Grammy nomination for his 1979 solo hit “Cruisin’.” He won for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male at the 30th GRAMMY Awards for “Just To See Her.”