Criminal investigation opened in rape and sexual assault allegations against Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is beneath prison investigation following allegations of rape and sexual assault made by 4 former housekeepers (Image: AP)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department mentioned Thursday that it has opened a prison investigation into rape and sexual assault allegations against Motown music luminary Smokey Robinson. The division mentioned in a press release that its Special Victims Bureau is “actively investigating criminal allegations” against Robinson. Last 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 go well with filed in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks not less than $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the ladies say came about between 2007 and 2024. Robinson’s lawyer mentioned there was no benefit to the allegations against the 85-year-old musical icon who was among the many largest hitmakers of the Sixties. The lawyer, Christopher Frost, mentioned Tuesday the one motive for the go well with 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 attorneys for the ladies, say they’re happy to study 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 attorneys mentioned. The sheriff’s assertion mentioned the investigation is in its early levels, and no different particulars can be supplied. Robinson’s lawyer mentioned final week that the allegations “defy credulity” and are stuffed with inconsistencies. The 4 ladies, 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 and then sexually assault and rape them. One lady mentioned she labored for Robinson from 2012 till 2024 and was assaulted not less than 20 occasions. Another mentioned she labored for him from 2014 till 2020 and was assaulted not less than 23 occasions. Harris referred to as Robinson a “serial and sick rapist” who have to be stopped. When requested at a May 6 information convention whether or not the ladies had talked to police, Hayden mentioned no, however felt the allegations merited regulation enforcement getting concerned. All of the accusers mentioned they finally stop over the assaults. And all mentioned they feared coming ahead over fears of retaliation, public disgrace and doable results on their immigration standing. Robinson churned out a number of hits as a central a part of the Motown Records machine – each along 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 is a member of each the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.