Smokey Robinson Sexual Allegations - Part I
Defense attorney Chance Oberstein breaks down the civil sexual assault allegations against Smokey Robinson. He explains the difference between civil and criminal sex crime cases, the impact of media narratives, and the importance of due process. A must-listen for anyone seeking clarity on high-profile sexual misconduct claims.
Transcript
Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Allegations - Part 1
Hosted by Chance Oberstein and Jay
Jay:
Welcome back to the Sex Crimes Defense Podcast with Chance and Jay. Chance Oberstein is a defense attorney who handles sex crimes in California. I’m a media professional. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.
Chance, let’s talk about Smokey Robinson.
Chance Oberstein:
Okay, let’s talk about Smokey Robinson. What are you seeing in the news?
Jay:
It looks like it started in May 2025 with sexual assault allegations that really shook social media. People couldn’t believe it.
Chance:
Maybe some folks on social media don’t even know who Smokey Robinson is, so let’s remind them. He’s a legendary American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the founder and frontman of The Miracles, one of Motown’s earliest and most influential vocal groups. His poetic lyrics and smooth voice helped define the Motown sound of the 1960s.
Jay:
That’s true! You’re right.
Chance:
He was the soundtrack of my youth, so he’s near and dear to me as a singer and performer — and a musical genius. But as you said, he’s now facing serious legal issues. Four former housekeepers have accused him of sexual assault, harassment, and other workplace violations. The lawsuit, filed in May, claims Robinson repeatedly assaulted women over nearly two decades at his Los Angeles-area homes.
What are you seeing on social media about this?
Jay:
People are shocked — and understandably so. Smokey Robinson rarely makes headlines, let alone for something like this. We've just seen stories about Jared Leto and Shannon Sharpe. When you say “musician,” my mind even jumps to Michael Jackson. But in this case, the alleged victims are adults.
Chance:
Right — and the common thread among all of these cases is that they involve celebrities. That’s a different dynamic than what we’ve discussed in previous episodes, which often focused on teachers or everyday individuals. You mentioned you found the complaint online. Is that right?
Jay:
Yes, and I always find it helpful to read court documents. I’m not a lawyer, but legal filings help me understand the details and form my own views.
Chance:
It’s important to understand the nature of these documents. These allegations surfaced just last month — we’re only in June. And based on what you’re describing, this complaint is civil, not criminal. I’ve reviewed parts of it.
According to the complaint, the women accuse Robinson of repeated rape and sexual battery over nearly 20 years, beginning in 2007. The allegations include false imprisonment, where Robinson allegedly used physical barriers and threats to prevent the women from leaving; unwanted sexual acts, including forced oral sex and digital penetration; and workplace violations like denial of rest breaks, underpayment, and forced resignations due to harassment.
There are also claims of gender violence and emotional abuse. One woman alleges she was raped at least 20 times over her 12-year employment. The plaintiffs are seeking $50 million in damages. Notably, none of the women filed police reports, citing fear of retaliation, public shame, and concerns about their immigration status.
Jay:
That’s a lot to take in. I think what really sticks with people are charges like false imprisonment — which sounds like kidnapping — and forced sexual acts. Those allegations feel believable to the public.
Let me tell you what doesn’t sound believable...
Chance:
Before you go there, let me emphasize something. These allegations come from a civil complaint. They weren’t the result of a criminal investigation. That’s key.
When the media covers these cases, it often sounds like the facts have been thoroughly vetted. But these are just allegations made by attorneys representing the plaintiffs. That distinction is critical.
Jay:
Right, and most people on social media don’t realize that.
Chance:
Exactly. They assume everything they’re reading is proven and investigated. But again — these are allegations, not findings from a criminal probe.
Jay:
That’s the kind of context that social media never provides. It’s like throwing a wet blanket on a fire — it kills the flame, but only if you know it’s there.
Chance:
Well said. When you listen to this podcast, you’ll get a dose of reality. Social media often deals in virtual reality — and a lot of it isn’t grounded in fact.
But here's where it gets even more complicated: since these civil allegations came out, Smokey Robinson is now under criminal investigation by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. No charges have been filed yet — it’s still early — but the attention this case has received is significant.
Robinson is now 85 years old. He denies the allegations and has filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the women of extortion, defamation, and elder abuse. His legal team argues that the plaintiffs are intentionally delaying the case to harm his reputation and disrupt his international tour, which marks the 50th anniversary of his album A Quiet Storm.
Jay:
Wow. Let me share something with you. I have a phrase — it’s not very nice — but it fits: “Shit snowballs.”
Chance:
What do you mean by that?
Jay:
Once something starts rolling downhill — especially something messy — it gathers size and speed fast. And social media accelerates that. Once the allegations are public, the story grows and takes on a life of its own.
Chance:
You’re absolutely right. And these types of lawsuits, if managed quietly, never even make the news. But when they go public — especially with recent allegations spanning from 2007 to 2024 — things get risky.
That’s where civil and criminal liability begin to intersect, and that’s a very dangerous line. This case is right on that line now.
Jay:
Thanks for listening to the Sex Crimes Defense Podcast. We’ll be back in another episode to continue this conversation about Smokey Robinson. Please join us next time.