Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation following rape allegations
Smokey Robinson is facing a criminal investigation after four former housekeepers accused him of rape and sexual assault.
Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation after being accused of rape and sexual assault.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that its special victims bureau is now "actively investigating criminal allegations" against the 85-year-old music star, who is facing accusations of rape and sexual assault from four former housekeepers.
In a statement shared with Fox News, a representative for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said: "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, and we have no further comment."
Earlier this month, the housekeepers filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Motown icon. The women claim that the alleged assaults took place between 2007 and 2024.
Christopher Frost, Robinson's lawyer, has welcomed the police investigation and is confident that his client will clear his name.
He said in a statement to Fox News: "We are aware that a police report has now been filed by the Plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit. It is clear to us what is happening here. 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."
Frost is convinced that Robinson will prove he "did nothing wrong".
He said: "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.
"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."
Meanwhile, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, the lawyers for the women, have welcomed the decision to launch a criminal investigation.
They said in a statement: "Our clients intend to fully co-operate with LASD's ongoing investigation in the pursuit of seeking justice for themselves and others that may have been similarly assaulted by him."
