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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ben Beaumont-Thomas

Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault allegations

Smokey Robinson at the Grammy awards in 2020.
Smokey Robinson at the Grammy awards in 2020. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

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.

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