Smokey Robinson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Smokey Robinson has denied allegations of sexual assault that were made by four unnamed women, all of whom worked as housekeepers for the Motown legend, earlier this week. In the lawsuit, which also names Robinson’s wife Frances, the women accused Robinson of rape, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and a hostile work environment, among other things.

In a phone call with The Daily Mail on Wednesday, May 7,Robinson briefly addressed the allegations, saying, “I am appalled.” He added, “I can’t speak about this right now.”

In a statement (via The New York Times), the 85-year-old’s lawyer Christopher Frost described the charges as “vile,” “false,” and “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.” He added, “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. We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold.”