Byron Scott, Smokey Robinson Face Sexual Assault Lawsuits

Two prominent American public figures, former Los Angeles Lakers player and coach Byron Scott and Motown music legend Smokey Robinson, are facing serious sexual assault allegations in separate lawsuits. Scott is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 1987 during a Lakers outreach event at a Los Angeles private school, with the plaintiff, Hayley Dylan, publicly revealing her identity; Scott, through his attorney, claims he believed she was over 18 and is shocked by the allegations after 35 years. The lawsuit against Scott includes charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and sexual assault. Meanwhile, Robinson is being sued by four former housekeepers who allege repeated sexual assault and rape between 2007 and 2024 at his Los Angeles home, with additional claims of a hostile work environment and labor violations. The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife, Frances, for allegedly enabling his behavior and using ethnic slurs, with the plaintiffs seeking at least $50 million in damages. Both cases highlight ongoing issues of accountability and power dynamics in sports and entertainment, as well as the complexities of reporting and prosecuting historical sexual misconduct.