Latest news with #ChristopherFrost
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Smokey Robinson makes dramatic move against former housekeeper accusing him of rape
Smokey Robinson claims four ex-housekeepers are stalling a rape lawsuit to sabotage his tour and force an 'extortionate' payout. The 85-year-old Motown legend's legal team filed a motion Thursday seeking to compel one of the anonymous accusers, known only as Jane Doe. 2, to sit for a deposition - accusing the women of blocking evidence collection while Robinson is on the road. Robinson, who vehemently denies the allegations and previously told he was 'appalled' by the lawsuit, has countersued for extortion, defamation, and elder abuse. His attorney, Christopher Frost, alleges the women's lawyer, John Harris, 'wants to delay all discovery' until a motion to strike Robinson's counterclaims is decided - a move that could stall the case for months. Frost argues the delay is a strategic attempt to damage Robinson financially during his 50th anniversary A Quiet Storm tour and strengthen the women's settlement demands. 'Plaintiffs have effectively conceded that their intention was to file a salacious lawsuit, do nothing to prosecute it, neuter the Robinsons' ability to defend themselves, and let the lawsuit linger publicly while the Robinsons have to live every day under the unfair specter of public opinion and while Mr. Robinson's tour is negatively affected,' Frost wrote. 'This plays into plaintiffs and cross-defendants' strategy to exact leverage on Mr. and Ms. Robinson.' 'The longer Mr. Robinson's livelihood is harmed, the more pressure there is for the Robinsons to give in to plaintiffs' and cross-defendants' extortionate demands.' Frost claims the women had previously demanded $100 million from Robinson and his wife Frances before filing the civil suit in May - and are now refusing to engage in discovery while letting the allegations fester in the public eye. He's asking the court to compel Jane Doe 2 to appear for a deposition at his Los Angeles law office within two weeks of the motion being heard - and to force the women to cover nearly $5,000 in legal fees Robinson has spent bringing the motion. 'If plaintiffs and cross-defendants are not sanctioned for their abusive behavior, they will expect that they can continue this behavior during the pendency of this case, which will only create more delays and more motion practice,' Frost wrote. 'The utilization of this strategy must be nipped in the bud.' But the women's attorneys blasted the filing Friday as an attempt to intimidate and silence them. 'This motion is a calculated effort to misuse the discovery process in a manner that is both retaliatory and chilling,' lawyers John Harris and Herbert Hayden said in a statement. 'By singling out Jane Doe 2 for a compelled deposition at this early stage, the defendant is engaging in a broader strategy of harassment and coercion - an attempt to retraumatize a survivor of sexual violence under the guise of lawful process.' 'This motion is not about truth-seeking; it is about exerting power. It should be recognized for what it is: a transparent attempt to chill participation in this case and deter other survivors from coming forward. 'We remain steadfast in defending her rights and will hold the Robinsons accountable for any effort to subvert those rights through abusive and vexatious litigation tactics.' His attorney, Christopher Frost, alleges the women's lawyer, John Harris, 'wants to delay all discovery' until a motion to strike Robinson's counterclaims is decided - a move that could stall the case for months The women have also filed a police report, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has launched a criminal investigation into their sexual assault allegations. When asked by about the claims, a visibly rattled Robinson said, 'I am appalled,' then began mumbling incoherently during a call on Wednesday morning. He did not sound well. He regained clarity a few moments later, ending the call with: 'I can't speak about this right now.' The civil suit, filed this week, accuses Robinson and his wife of a disturbing pattern of abuse and harassment spanning nearly two decades. The alleged victims - all Hispanic women - worked in his homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas between 2007 and 2024. They say they were lured into private rooms where Robinson would allegedly expose himself or appear in just a towel before demanding sexual acts. One woman alleges she was raped without a condom at least 23 times beginning in 2016 - often in the laundry room or garage where there were no security cameras. She gave graphic detail, claiming Robinson would 'enjoy ejaculating all over (her) face' and threatened her by saying his wife would be 'mean' if she didn't comply. Another former housekeeper says she was assaulted at least seven times between January 2023 and February 2024. She claims Robinson would escort the dog, Shilo, out of his blue bedroom, lock the door behind her, and then attack her on his bed - 'causing her great pain.' She said she would try to resist but couldn't. She once shouted 'you're married' in desperation, but said Robinson would 'casually ignore' her. She ultimately quit in February. The same plaintiff also accused Robinson and his wife of failing to pay minimum wage and overtime. A third woman claims she was raped 20 times between 2012 and 2024 and was once offered $500 so Robinson could 'allow him to orally copulate her.' She accuses Frances Robinson of doing nothing to stop the abuse despite 'having full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct, having settled cases with other women that suffered and experienced similar sexual assaults perpetuated by him.' The fourth woman, who worked for Robinson between 2007 and 2024, said he 'never used a condom' while assaulting her in his home. Frances is also accused of enabling the assaults, allegedly screaming at staff in a 'hostile manner' and using 'ethnically pejorative words and language.' She was also allegedly driven to a nail salon weekly so Robinson could be 'home alone' with one of the plaintiffs. The women are suing for $50 million and allege sexual battery, assault, gender violence, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, failure to pay wages, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The shocking allegations come just weeks after Robinson released his new album What The World Needs Now, telling CBS Mornings: 'I want people to be inspired to care about each other and to love each other.' When asked about his legacy, he added: '(One) who recognized the fact that you don't get any bigger than being a human being. I don't care what your craft is, or what you do for your living and all that... So, I hope that that's my legacy.' Robinson is currently on tour celebrating A Quiet Storm's 50th anniversary — and is scheduled to take the stage in Huntington, New York, just hours after the women's press conference.
The Guardian
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault allegations
Los Angeles police have opened a criminal investigation into Smokey Robinson, after allegations of sexual assault made by four of his former housekeepers, which he denies. The unnamed women filed a lawsuit last week alleging that the Motown star was a 'a serial and sick rapist' who had assaulted them on numerous occasions between 2007 and 2024, across three residences. Robinson and his wife, Frances, are also accused of labour violations, including the failure to pay the women minimum wage and overtime. The women are seeking financial damages. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost said the allegations 'defy credulity' and called them 'vile, false … an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon – $50m, to be exact'. Now, in addition to that civil lawsuit, Robinson is facing a criminal investigation. In a statement to the press, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it is 'actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson'. The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment.' Frost responded to the opening of the investigation, saying: 'We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the plaintiffs were previously able to create.' Robinson was one of the most successful artists to emerge from the Motown label, scoring hits under his own name and with his group the Miracles. He also wrote a number of pop classics including My Girl and Get Ready for the Temptations. Last month he released his latest album What the World Needs Now, and he is currently touring the US, with UK dates scheduled to follow in July at Love Supreme festival plus four nationwide venues. The Guardian has contacted the festival and his UK representatives for comment.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation following rape allegations
Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation after being accused of rape and sexual assault. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that its special victims bureau is now "actively investigating criminal allegations" against the 85-year-old music star, who is facing accusations of rape and sexual assault from four former housekeepers. In a statement shared with Fox News, a representative for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said: "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." Earlier this month, the housekeepers filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Motown icon. The women claim that the alleged assaults took place between 2007 and 2024. Christopher Frost, Robinson's lawyer, has welcomed the police investigation and is confident that his client will clear his name. He said in a statement to Fox News: "We are aware that a police report has now been filed by the Plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit. It is clear to us what is happening here. Plaintiffs filed a police report only after they filed a $50 million lawsuit. "This means only that the police are now required to investigate. We welcome that investigation, which involves Plaintiffs who continue to hide their identities, because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing." Frost is convinced that Robinson will prove he "did nothing wrong". He said: "We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create. "The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice." Meanwhile, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, the lawyers for the women, have welcomed the decision to launch a criminal investigation. They said in a statement: "Our clients intend to fully co-operate with LASD's ongoing investigation in the pursuit of seeking justice for themselves and others that may have been similarly assaulted by him."
Fox News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation by LA sheriff for sexual assault allegations
Smokey Robinson is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department after he was accused of sexual assault by four anonymous former employees. On Thursday, the sheriff's department confirmed that it has opened an investigation into the allegations made against the 85-year-old singer in a lawsuit filed last Tuesday. "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 representative for the LASD said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. Robinson's lawyer, Christopher Frost, responded in a statement to Fox News Digital, writing, "We are aware that a police report has now been filed by the Plaintiffs in the civil lawsuit. It is clear to us what is happening here. Plaintiffs filed a police report only after they filed a $50 million lawsuit. " He continued, "This means only that the police are now required to investigate. We welcome that investigation, which involves Plaintiffs who continue to hide their identities, because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing." "We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create," Frost added. "The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice." Robinson was accused of assaulting and raping four former housekeepers who worked at his Chatsworth home between 2006 and 2024, according to the lawsuit. The accusers are seeking $50 million in damages.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault claims
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is under criminal investigation in Los Angeles over accusations of sexual assault. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed it had launched a formal inquiry into the allegations, saying the probe was in the "early stages". The investigation comes after a lawsuit was filed last week by four anonymous housekeepers against the 85-year-old singer-songwriter, accusing him sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender Robinson has denied the allegations. His lawyer has said those behind the accusations are after the musician's money, and he welcomed the police investigation "because exposure to the truth is a powerful thing". "We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create," the attorney, Christopher Frost, said in a statement to the BBC. He argued the police investigation was only opened because the plaintiffs filed a formal report with their allegations and said the claims were "manufactured" and designed to "tarnish the good names" of the musician and his wife, who is also named in the lawsuit and accused of contributing to a hostile work environment. The sheriff's department told the BBC in a statement that its Special Victims Bureau was "actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson.' The investigation is in the early stages, and we have no further comment."The women filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on 6 May under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and the 27-page legal action, they allege several incidents that they say dated back to 2006, and accuse Mr Robinson of pressuring them into four women, who are of Hispanic descent, said they had not come forward until now because they feared losing their livelihoods, familial reprisal or embarrassment. Some were concerned the allegations could affect their immigration are seeking at least $50m (£38m) in damages and a jury Robinson was Motown's first hitmaker, writing number one records like Mary Wells' My Guy and The Temptations' My was both a talent scout for the record label and one of its most prominent recording artists in his own right, known for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Shop Around and Tears of a has spots in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 women's lawyers held a press conference last week after filing the lawsuit, accusing Mr Robinson of being a "serial and sick rapist" who "must be stopped".Mr Robinson's legal team called the event a "bizarre" attempt "to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create"."We will have more to say in the coming days as we make our legal response, and in time Mr Robinson will respond in his own words," Mr Frost said, noting that the musician's legal team plans to ask for the case to be dismissed. "We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold."
