Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson is talking out amid critical allegations in a newly filed civil lawsuit. The icon is accused of battery and different misconduct by former staff, claiming to have labored for Robinson and his spouse for years.
RELATED: Smokey Robinson Reportedly Sued By 4 Feminine Former Staffers Over Sexual Assault Allegations
Smokey Robinson Speaks Out
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Might 6, contains allegations of sexual battery, assault, and extra. The 4 girls, recognized solely as Jane Does, additionally named Robinson’s spouse, Frances Gladney, within the lawsuit. They claimed that Gladney created an unsafe office throughout their time of employment.
Robinson briefly addressed the state of affairs in a telephone interview with the Every day Mail on Might 7, stating, “I’m appalled… I can’t talk about this proper now.” In the meantime, Robinson’s legal professional, Christopher Frost, spoke with TMZ and slammed the lawsuit.
“That is merely an unsightly methodology of making an attempt to extract cash from an 85-year-old American icon — $50 million, to be precise,” Frost stated. He additionally criticized the plaintiffs’ authorized workforce, calling a press convention “weird theatrics” and accusing them of a media circus.
“We ask anybody following this case to order judgment because the proof involves gentle,” Frost added.
Background On The Lawsuit
As beforehand coated by The Shade Room, 4 former staff filed a lawsuit towards Robinson, accusing him of sexual assault and extra whereas working as housekeepers and employees at his California house. Based on court docket paperwork, the 4 girls additionally allege gender violence. They declare that Robinson’s spouse created a hostile work setting marked by verbal abuse and racially charged language.
The timeline of the alleged abuse spans almost two many years. One plaintiff claims she was assaulted seven instances between January 2023 and February 2024, whereas one other cites 23 incidents throughout her employment from 2014 to 2020. A third girl stories 20 assaults over 12 years, and a fourth says she was assaulted in 2007 whereas working as Frances Robinson’s assistant and chef. The lawsuit contains disturbing claims that Robinson supplied cash for intercourse, and allegedly focused them in areas of the house with out safety cameras.
What Comes Subsequent For Smokey?
The Robinson workforce says a movement to dismiss will be filed, promising Smokey will reply in his personal phrases. Frost added that key proof will spotlight timeline points, inconsistencies, and prior relationships between the plaintiffs and others. He emphasised that these parts, as soon as completely examined, will increase doubts about the credibility of the claims.
The authorized workforce is additionally anticipated to problem the nature of the working relationships cited in the lawsuit, suggesting they have been not as portrayed by the plaintiffs. Robinson’s camp urges the public to withhold judgment till they’ll current all of the details in court docket.
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