Smokey Robinson​ Under Criminal Investigation Over Rape Allegations

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating rape allegations against Motown legend Smokey Robinson in the wake of a lawsuit filed by four of his housekeepers, authorities announced Thursday.

"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," a department spokesperson told Patch.

SEE ALSO: Smokey Robinson Accused Of Rape By Employees In Lawsuit

The suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week against the Motown music luminary seeks at least $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the women say took place between 2007 and 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Robinson forced himself on the unnamed plaintiffs multiple times dating back nearly 20 years, generally while his wife — Frances Robinson— was out of the home. She, is also named as a defendant for allegedly enabling his behavior and creating an abusive work environment.

Last week, an attorney for the "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" singer, called the allegations bogus.

Attorney Christopher Frost said in a statement that the evidence “will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.”

“We will be addressing the numerous aspects of the complaint that defy credulity as well as issues relating to purported timelines, inconsistencies, and relationships between the plaintiffs and others,” Frost's statement said.

The four women each allege that Smokey Robinson would wait until he was alone with them in his Los Angeles house and then sexually assault and rape them, in some cases for many years.

“We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped,” the women’s attorney John Harris said at a news conference Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit includes allegations of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, negligence, hostile work environment and intentional infliction of emotional distress, along with alleged labor violations such as failure to pay minimum wage and overtime and failure to provide rest breaks and meal periods.

Each of the accusers, identified as Jane Does in the suit, reportedly worked as housekeepers for the couple in their Chatsworth home at various points over the last two decades.

One of the plaintiffs alleges Robinson assaulted her at least seven times between March 2023 until her "forced resignation" in February 2024. She alleges Robinson would summon her to his bedroom at the couple's Chatsworth home when his wife was out of the home, and he would greet her wearing only underwear, then proceed to sexually assault her despite her protestations.

Another plaintiff said she was sexually assaulted by the singer nearly two dozen times between 2016 and 2020, when she was also forced to resign, according to the suit. A third plaintiff alleges in the suit that she was "sexually harassed, sexually assaulted and raped" during "most of her entire employment" between 2012 and 2024.

The fourth plaintiff said she began working for the Robinsons in 2006, with Robinson allegedly sexually assaulting her in 2007 "when she accompanied him to his Las Vegas home," according to the suit. The woman contends the assaults continued until her resignation in April 2024.

The suit contends that none of the women reported the attacks to the authorities due to fears of reprisals, public embarrassment, shame and humiliation, along with intimidation due to Robinson's celebrity status.

The lawsuit claims Frances Robinson enabled her husband's behavior, giving him access to his alleged victims despite knowing he has a history of sexual abuse.

Dubbed "Mr. Motown" Robinson established himself as a hitmaker in the early days of R&B with his band, The Miracles including hits such as "I Second That Emotion," and "The Tears of a Clown."

He's also known for his collaborations with other greats and writing hits such as "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and "My Girl."

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.