LOS ANGELES — Music legend Smokey Robinson is facing serious legal scrutiny after a man came forward accusing the Motown singer of sexual battery, according to a civil complaint filed this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The man, whose identity is being withheld due to the nature of the allegations, claims Robinson engaged in non-consensual sexual contact during what he describes as a private encounter that “quickly turned coercive.” The lawsuit alleges the incident occurred at Robinson’s Los Angeles–area residence and involved “unwanted touching, restraint, and intimidation.”
Robinson, 85, has not been criminally charged. His representatives strongly deny the allegations, calling them “false, fabricated, and motivated by financial gain.” In a statement provided through his attorney, Robinson said he intends to “vigorously defend against these harmful accusations.”
According to the filing, the plaintiff says he met Robinson through a mutual acquaintance and visited the singer’s home for what he believed would be a brief, non-intimate meeting. The suit claims Robinson initiated physical contact without consent and continued despite the man’s attempts to defuse the situation and leave. The complaint further alleges the plaintiff experienced ongoing emotional distress following the incident.
Robinson’s attorney dismissed the claims as “a bad-faith attempt to exploit an elderly public figure,” arguing there is “no factual basis” to support the lawsuit. The legal team said they are preparing a countersuit alleging defamation and intentional infliction of emotional harm.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it has received an inquiry related to the allegation but declined to say whether a criminal investigation is underway, citing privacy protections.
Robinson, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of Motown’s most celebrated figures, has recently faced unrelated legal disputes involving former employees. His camp says the newest accusation fits a “pattern of opportunistic claims” targeting the entertainer.
The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages.
The case is expected to proceed to preliminary hearings later this year.
AS News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
