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Smokey Robinson denies 'ugly' sexual assault allegations

BBC News's profile
BBC News
4h ago
Smokey Robinson denies 'ugly' sexual assault allegations

Context:

Motown legend Smokey Robinson faces a lawsuit filed by four former housekeepers accusing him of sexual assault, including rape, false imprisonment, and labor violations. Robinson, along with his wife Frances, who is also implicated in the lawsuit, denies these allegations, labeling them as a vile attempt to extort $50 million from him. The accusers, who are proceeding under pseudonyms due to the nature of the allegations, claim they were coerced into sexual acts and have come forward now despite fears of losing their jobs and immigration status impacts. The lawsuit details incidents dating back to 2006, and the plaintiffs' lawyers have publicly condemned Robinson, calling him a serial rapist, while his legal team dismisses the claims as a media circus. No criminal charges have been filed, and Robinson's attorneys plan to request the dismissal of the lawsuit, urging the public to withhold judgment until evidence is presented in court.

Dive Deeper:

  • Four female housekeepers have filed a lawsuit against Smokey Robinson, accusing him of sexual battery, including rape, and false imprisonment, as well as labor violations. They are seeking $50 million in damages and a jury trial.

  • The lawsuit, which implicates Robinson's second wife Frances, claims she contributed to a hostile work environment and failed to prevent Robinson's alleged misconduct.

  • The accusers, identified as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, allege incidents of sexual coercion dating back to 2006 but only came forward now due to fears of job loss, familial repercussions, and immigration status concerns.

  • Robinson, a prominent figure in the music industry with credits on over 4,000 songs, denies the allegations, with his lawyer describing them as false and a method to extract money from the 85-year-old icon.

  • The plaintiffs' attorneys have accused Robinson of being a dangerous and serial offender in a press conference, which has been criticized by Robinson's legal team as an inappropriate attempt to sway public opinion.

  • No police reports or criminal charges have been filed against Robinson, and his lawyers intend to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit while cautioning the public to reserve judgment as the case unfolds.

  • Robinson's legal team has expressed their intent to respond to the allegations in a detailed manner and challenge the plaintiffs' attorneys for allegedly overstepping legal boundaries with their public statements.

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