Discovery Gamesmanship Tactics Take Center Stage in Smokey Robinson Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

The motion asks the court to compel Jane Doe 2’s deposition within fourteen days, citing Robinson’s lost income and the reputational toll of lingering allegations. Legal analysts note that while discovery is meant to facilitate fact-finding, it can become a financial bludgeon—especially when one party accelerates timelines to apply pressure.

“In civil litigation, aggressive discovery tactics are sometimes used to exhaust the resources of the opposing side, particularly in high-profile cases. Courts are increasingly attentive to whether such behavior crosses into gamesmanship,” said a veteran California litigator not connected to the case.

Indeed, requests for sanctions—especially so early in a case—signal to the judge that the discovery process itself is being used strategically, if not abusively.

Robinson’s attorneys argue that the delay in deposition is materially harming his career, as unresolved allegations affect his touring and income. They claim the costs incurred to force the issue in court should be borne by the accuser’s attorneys.