More than a week after four women alleged Smokey Robinson had sexually abused them for years, the LA County Sheriff’s Department has opened a case.

The special victims' unit of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department were in the early stages of the investigation as of Thursday, TheWrap has learned. The criminal probe followed a $50 million lawsuit against the music industry legend and his wife Frances Gladney filed May 5 by four former employees claiming sexual battery and assault.