Smokey Robinson's lawyer says rape and sexual assault allegations made against him in a lawsuit by four of his former housekeepers are “horrific” and “not credible.”
Defense attorney Christopher Frost said in a statement that the evidence “will prove that this is simply a disgusting attempt to extort money from an 85-year-old American icon.”
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Motown star, seeks at least $50 million in damages for the alleged assaults, which the women say occurred between 2007 and 2024.
Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, is also named as a defendant for allegedly facilitating his behavior and creating an abusive work environment.
“We will review the many aspects of the claim that raise doubts, as well as questions regarding the alleged timing, inconsistencies and connections between the plaintiffs and others,” Mr. Frost said in a statement.
Each of the four women alleges that Robinson waited until they were alone with him at his Los Angeles home and then sexually assaulted and raped them, in some cases over many years.
“We believe Mr. Robinson is a serial and depraved rapist and he must be stopped,” the women's lawyer, John Harris, said at a news conference Tuesday.
Mr Frost described the press conference as a “bizarre theatrical show” and an attempt to “involve the public as unwitting participants in the media circus they are trying to stage”.
He added: “We urge everyone following this case to reserve judgment until evidence is presented and the full factual circumstances are known.”
Lawyers for the plaintiffs, Harris and Herbert Hayden, responded to Mr Frost's statement on Thursday: “We stand by the veracity of our four clients' statements, which are neither false nor vile, but clearly describe Mr Robinson's heinous criminal conduct.”
One woman said she worked for Robinson from 2012 to 2024 and was assaulted at least 20 times during that period. Another said she worked for him from 2014 to 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times.
All the accusers said they eventually stopped facing attacks, although in some cases it took several years.
All also said they were afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation, public embarrassment and possible consequences for their immigration status. Those same fears kept the women from reporting Robinson to police, their lawyers said, though they also said they believed a criminal investigation was warranted.
The lawsuit seeks damages based on allegations of sexual assault, assault, false imprisonment, gender-based violence and other charges.
Mr Frost said Robinson would soon respond to the allegations and that they would ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit.
Robinson, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was one of the most successful performers of the 1960s, playing a central role on Motown Records both with the Miracles and as a solo artist with hits such as “Tears Of A Clown” and “The Tracks Of My Tears.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
