Smokey Robinson was investigated for 2015 sex assault
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office confirmed the decade-old investigation and its decision to decline charges in a statement on Friday. The office said no details could be provided because of the current investigation of Robinson.
Four former housekeepers of the singer-songwriter and Motown music luminary have alleged that he raped and sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024.
The women filed a lawsuit on May 6, then the following week the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department revealed that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations" against Robinson.
Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said in a statement Friday that they are "pleased" that the district attorney "confirmed there was no basis to file charges a decade ago."
"One unfortunate aspect of celebrity is that it is not uncommon to be the target of spurious and unsubstantiated allegations," Frost said.
"Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here."
Frost previously called the housekeepers' allegations "vile" and "false".
The 2015 case was first reported by TMZ.
On Wednesday, Robinson and his wife, Frances, who was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, sued the women for defamation, saying their allegations were "fabricated in an extortionate scheme".
A statement on Friday from the housekeepers' lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, emphasised that there were no charges in the 2015 case "due to insufficient evidence — not because the claims lacked merit.".
They said "this latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice".
Robinson, a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a key figure in the Motown Records machine of the 1960s as both an artist and a writer, and was one of the biggest hitmakers of the era with songs including Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears.
The housekeepers are seeking at least $US50 million ($A78 million) in the lawsuit. They have not publicly revealed their names.
They allege Robinson raped and sexually assaulted them after isolating them, usually in his home. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times while working for Robinson from 2012 until 2024. Another said she worked for him from 2014 until 2020 and was assaulted at least 23 times.
They said Frances Robinson enabled him and created an abusive workplace.
The Robinsons' defamation lawsuit says the women "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," vacationed with them, celebrated holidays with them, exchanged gifts with them, asked for tickets to his concerts, and sought and received help from them including money for dental surgery, financial support for a disabled family member, and "even a car".
The court filing says that despite the couple's generosity, the women "secretly harboured resentment for the Robinsons and sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Anthony Mackie hails 'beautiful human' Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Anthony Mackie remembers Malcolm-Jamal Warner as a "beautiful human being". The actor died, aged 54, from accidental drowning on July 20, and Anthony has now paid a glowing tribute to his showbiz pal, who was best known for playing Theodore Huxtable on The Cosby Show. The Hollywood star told People: "I'm proud to say Malcolm-Jamal Warner was a friend of mine." Anthony recalled having lots of memorable conversations with the late actor. Anthony - who is, perhaps, best-known for playing Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - said: "He's somebody that I knew and spent time with, and just was such a beautiful human being. "And every time I was around him, I was able to take full advantage of those conversations and that time. That, for me, is the most important thing." In July, Stevie Wonder admitted that his "heart is broken" following the actor's death. The 75-year-old singer admitted to feeling devastated by the news. He told TMZ: "My heart is broken because not only was he a talented man growing up and doing The Cosby Show, but even more important his commitment was telling the story, the truth. "And for me, in a time where we have so many in high places telling low-down lies, we need the truth. So yeah, I miss him. "I hope that the writers, the singers, rappers will begin to spread messages of positivity, of hope, and us moving this world forward. I'm quiet, but my heart is hurting." The music icon went on to make a cultural comparison between the late actor and West African traditions. He said: "I don't know if you know what a 'grio' is, a 'griot.' It's like the African who told the stories in the various villages would have the griot. Whenever a griot would die, it would be like a whole library of information burning." According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: "An African tribal storyteller and musician is called a griot. The griot's role was to preserve the genealogies and oral traditions of the tribe."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Actor Gary Busey pleads guilty to groping woman
Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to groping a woman at a New Jersey horror film convention. The 81-year-old actor admitted that he deliberately touched a woman inappropriately whilst posing with fans as he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct at a virtual court appearance on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Monster-Mania Con in August 2022 as Busey was accused of groping several women who filed reports with the police. The star was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and one disorderly count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Busey who faces between one to five years of probation and fines. He has also agreed not to contact the victim. Busey, who appeared distracted during the hearing and was scolded by judge Gwendolyn Blue for drinking from a soft drink can, will be sentenced on September 18. The actor's guilty plea comes after he initially claimed the woman had made up her accusation. Busey told TMZ in 2022: "None of that happened. "There were a partner, a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually - but I did not." It is not the first time that the Oscar-nominated actor has fallen foul of the law as he faced drug charges in 1995 following a near-fatal cocaine overdose. The star - who suffered permanent brain damage in a 1988 motorcycle accident - has previously been arrested on charges of spousal abuse and was also accused of sexual assault by a female employee when he took part in Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. Busey's son Luke previously recalled how the motorcycle accident completely changed his father's personality after he underwent brain surgery to recover from his serious injuries. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "At 17, I had to teach him with my mom to talk, to eat, to feed himself. To walk again. To write. That was very difficult for me at that age. The post-accident version of him turned his personality up to 11. I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988." Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to groping a woman at a New Jersey horror film convention. The 81-year-old actor admitted that he deliberately touched a woman inappropriately whilst posing with fans as he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct at a virtual court appearance on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Monster-Mania Con in August 2022 as Busey was accused of groping several women who filed reports with the police. The star was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and one disorderly count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Busey who faces between one to five years of probation and fines. He has also agreed not to contact the victim. Busey, who appeared distracted during the hearing and was scolded by judge Gwendolyn Blue for drinking from a soft drink can, will be sentenced on September 18. The actor's guilty plea comes after he initially claimed the woman had made up her accusation. Busey told TMZ in 2022: "None of that happened. "There were a partner, a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually - but I did not." It is not the first time that the Oscar-nominated actor has fallen foul of the law as he faced drug charges in 1995 following a near-fatal cocaine overdose. The star - who suffered permanent brain damage in a 1988 motorcycle accident - has previously been arrested on charges of spousal abuse and was also accused of sexual assault by a female employee when he took part in Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. Busey's son Luke previously recalled how the motorcycle accident completely changed his father's personality after he underwent brain surgery to recover from his serious injuries. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "At 17, I had to teach him with my mom to talk, to eat, to feed himself. To walk again. To write. That was very difficult for me at that age. The post-accident version of him turned his personality up to 11. I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988." Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to groping a woman at a New Jersey horror film convention. The 81-year-old actor admitted that he deliberately touched a woman inappropriately whilst posing with fans as he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct at a virtual court appearance on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Monster-Mania Con in August 2022 as Busey was accused of groping several women who filed reports with the police. The star was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and one disorderly count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Busey who faces between one to five years of probation and fines. He has also agreed not to contact the victim. Busey, who appeared distracted during the hearing and was scolded by judge Gwendolyn Blue for drinking from a soft drink can, will be sentenced on September 18. The actor's guilty plea comes after he initially claimed the woman had made up her accusation. Busey told TMZ in 2022: "None of that happened. "There were a partner, a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually - but I did not." It is not the first time that the Oscar-nominated actor has fallen foul of the law as he faced drug charges in 1995 following a near-fatal cocaine overdose. The star - who suffered permanent brain damage in a 1988 motorcycle accident - has previously been arrested on charges of spousal abuse and was also accused of sexual assault by a female employee when he took part in Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. Busey's son Luke previously recalled how the motorcycle accident completely changed his father's personality after he underwent brain surgery to recover from his serious injuries. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "At 17, I had to teach him with my mom to talk, to eat, to feed himself. To walk again. To write. That was very difficult for me at that age. The post-accident version of him turned his personality up to 11. I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988." Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to groping a woman at a New Jersey horror film convention. The 81-year-old actor admitted that he deliberately touched a woman inappropriately whilst posing with fans as he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct at a virtual court appearance on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Monster-Mania Con in August 2022 as Busey was accused of groping several women who filed reports with the police. The star was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and one disorderly count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Busey who faces between one to five years of probation and fines. He has also agreed not to contact the victim. Busey, who appeared distracted during the hearing and was scolded by judge Gwendolyn Blue for drinking from a soft drink can, will be sentenced on September 18. The actor's guilty plea comes after he initially claimed the woman had made up her accusation. Busey told TMZ in 2022: "None of that happened. "There were a partner, a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually - but I did not." It is not the first time that the Oscar-nominated actor has fallen foul of the law as he faced drug charges in 1995 following a near-fatal cocaine overdose. The star - who suffered permanent brain damage in a 1988 motorcycle accident - has previously been arrested on charges of spousal abuse and was also accused of sexual assault by a female employee when he took part in Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. Busey's son Luke previously recalled how the motorcycle accident completely changed his father's personality after he underwent brain surgery to recover from his serious injuries. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "At 17, I had to teach him with my mom to talk, to eat, to feed himself. To walk again. To write. That was very difficult for me at that age. The post-accident version of him turned his personality up to 11. I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988."
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Actor Gary Busey pleads guilty to groping woman
Gary Busey has pleaded guilty to groping a woman at a New Jersey horror film convention. The 81-year-old actor admitted that he deliberately touched a woman inappropriately whilst posing with fans as he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct at a virtual court appearance on Thursday. The incident occurred at the Monster-Mania Con in August 2022 as Busey was accused of groping several women who filed reports with the police. The star was charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree, one count of attempting criminal sexual contact in the fourth degree and one disorderly count of harassment. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Busey who faces between one to five years of probation and fines. He has also agreed not to contact the victim. Busey, who appeared distracted during the hearing and was scolded by judge Gwendolyn Blue for drinking from a soft drink can, will be sentenced on September 18. The actor's guilty plea comes after he initially claimed the woman had made up her accusation. Busey told TMZ in 2022: "None of that happened. "There were a partner, a camera lady, and me and two girls. It took less than 10 seconds, and then they left. Then, they made up this story that I assaulted them sexually - but I did not." It is not the first time that the Oscar-nominated actor has fallen foul of the law as he faced drug charges in 1995 following a near-fatal cocaine overdose. The star - who suffered permanent brain damage in a 1988 motorcycle accident - has previously been arrested on charges of spousal abuse and was also accused of sexual assault by a female employee when he took part in Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. Busey's son Luke previously recalled how the motorcycle accident completely changed his father's personality after he underwent brain surgery to recover from his serious injuries. He told The Hollywood Reporter: "At 17, I had to teach him with my mom to talk, to eat, to feed himself. To walk again. To write. That was very difficult for me at that age. The post-accident version of him turned his personality up to 11. I feel like I lost my dad on December 4, 1988."
