A judge has granted Smokey Robinson’s request and ordered his sexual‑assault accusers to turn over their cell phones within 10 days to preserve potential evidence. The ruling marks a major development in the high‑profile civil lawsuit against the Motown legend.
Music legend Smokey Robinson has scored a critical legal win in his ongoing lawsuit by convincing a judge to force his accusers to surrender their cell phones for forensic review. The order — handed down December 5, 2025 — requires multiple anonymous plaintiffs to hand over their devices within 10 days.
What Led to the Order
- Robinson’s legal team accused the accusers of evading prior discovery requests and suggested they might be deleting or withholding critical data.
- In court filings, the defense argued that communication records — including text messages, call logs, and other digital correspondence — could shed light on whether the allegations were coordinated.
- The judge accepted those arguments, granting the request and giving the accusers a strict ten‑day deadline to comply.
Background on the Case
- The original lawsuit, filed in May 2025, involved four former housekeepers who alleged repeated sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment and gender‑based violence while employed by Robinson and his wife. They sought $50 million in damages.
- In the months since, two additional plaintiffs — one female housekeeper and one male former employee — joined the case, expanding the number of accusers to six. Both made new allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.
- Robinson and his legal team have consistently denied all allegations, arguing the lawsuit is part of a broader attempt to extort him. They filed a $500 million countersuit in response, claiming defamation, elder‑abuse claims and financial damages.
What This Ruling Means
- The court‑ordered seizure of phones could yield decisive digital evidence — messages, calls, metadata — that may confirm or disprove coordination among accusers, timing of allegations, or prior communications.
- For Robinson’s defense, it represents a chance to challenge the credibility of what they call “salacious” claims and fight what they call a planned “media‑driven extortion.”
- For the accusers, the ruling raises the stakes: failure to comply could harm their case, while full cooperation may expose private communications that undercut their allegations.
Next Steps to Watch
- Whether the accusers comply with the order or challenge it via legal motions (e.g., appeals, claims of privacy or confidentiality).
- What the phone data shows — if communications corroborate their stories or instead point to coordination among plaintiffs.
- Whether this shifts momentum in favor of Robinson’s defense or strengthens the plaintiffs’ case, especially with the trial set for October 2027 under current court scheduling.
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