The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has just confirmed that music legend Smokey Robinson was investigated back in 2015 over a sexual assault allegation. Despite the serious nature of the accusation, the D.A. ultimately declined to file charges, citing a lack of evidence.
According to TMZ, the case originated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and was reviewed by prosecutors at the time. But the alleged victim in that investigation is not one of the four anonymous women currently suing Robinson for sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence.
Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden, who represent those four women, weighed in on the D.A.’s recent statement, saying, “The statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirms that charges were not filed against Mr. Robinson due to insufficient evidence, not because the claims lacked merit.” They added, “This underscores the significant challenges victims face when reporting incidents of sexual assault, particularly when the alleged perpetrator is a powerful and well-known figure.”
They also noted, “This latest development further affirms that at least five women have now come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Mr. Robinson. Together, they are united in their pursuit of justice.”
Meanwhile, Robinson is denying the fresh allegations and has called the lawsuit a “shakedown,” filing a countersuit of his own.
His attorney, Christopher Frost, stated, “Mr. Robinson looks forward to the conclusion of the current investigation, and has no doubt that a similar determination will be reached here.”
