Motown music legend Smokey Robinson is being investigated by Los Angeles County authorities after a lawsuit accused him of sexual assault and other serious misconduct.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that its Special Victims Bureau has launched a formal investigation into Robinson, saying the case is in its early stages and no further details are available at this time.
The investigation follows a civil lawsuit filed on May 6 in Los Angeles Superior Court by four anonymous women, identified as Jane Doe 1 through 4. The women—who had worked as housekeepers for Robinson and his wife—accuse the 85-year-old of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence. The allegations span several years, with some incidents said to have occurred as far back as 2006.
According to the 27-page complaint, the women claim Robinson pressured them into sexual acts and that his wife helped create a hostile work environment. They said they stayed silent for years out of fear—some worried about losing their jobs, facing backlash from family, or jeopardizing their immigration status. All four women are of Hispanic descent and are seeking at least $50 million in damages, along with a jury trial.
In response, Robinson has denied all allegations. His attorney, Christopher Frost, said the claims are “manufactured” and motivated by money. Frost added that the lawsuit aims to damage both Robinson’s and his wife’s reputations.
"We welcome a police investigation because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing," Frost said. He also argued that the criminal probe only began because the plaintiffs filed a formal complaint.
At a press conference last week, the women’s legal team described Robinson as a “serial and sick rapist,” calling for public awareness and legal action. Robinson’s team dismissed the event as a “bizarre” media stunt meant to sway public opinion.
Frost emphasized that Robinson intends to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit and urged the public not to rush to judgment. “We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold,” he said.
Robinson, known for writing Motown classics like My Girl and The Tracks of My Tears, has been inducted into both the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame.
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