Tuesday, September 29, 2026

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LASC Complaint Says British Actress Is Liable for Brother’s Sexual Misconduct—but Sets Forth ‘Ifs’

By a MetNews Staff Writer

JODIE TURNER-SMITH

actress

Actress Jodie Turner-Smith, who was born in England but has resided in Los Angeles since 2009, has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by three “Jane Does” over alleged sexual assaults, on separate occasions, by her brother—but liability that is asserted is reliant on “ifs.”

A complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday sets forth that Turner-Smith’s brother, Richard Mark Anthony Smith, “used trust, housing, apparent financial security, access to residences, drugs, firearms or other weapons, threats, confinement, sexual pressure, and third parties to place” the plaintiffs “in circumstances in which they felt unable to safely refuse his demands or leave.”

The pleading, signed by attorney Nissan Thomas, says:

“Plaintiffs do not allege that Turner-Smith is liable merely because she is Smith’s sister, because she is a public figure, or because her name was associated with property. Plaintiffs allege liability based on the specific acts, omissions, knowledge, assistance, resources, and property-related conduct described below.”

Supported Brother

It avers that Turner-Smith provided housing to her brother, “paid his bills, supported his lifestyle, and provided or gifted him an Audi that he used to transport packages to USPS that allegedly contained narcotics transported across state lines.” However, allegations as to liability to the plaintiffs are phrased tentatively.

The complaint says:

“Plaintiffs allege that, if discovery confirms Turner-Smith’s knowledge and continued assistance, her conduct may constitute substantial assistance or encouragement of Smith’s wrongful conduct and/or a breach of duties arising from her control or management of property and resources.”

Further ‘If’

The complaint goes on to say:

“Plaintiffs allege that, if Turner-Smith knowingly provided or continued to provide housing, transportation, financial support, or other resources after receiving actual knowledge of Smith’s dangerous conduct, her acts or omissions contributed to the continuation of the foreseeable risk.”

Causes of action pertaining to the actress are for negligence/property related negligence, negligence per se, child endangerment and aiding-and-abetting/concert of action.

The case is Doe v. Smith, 26STCV30227.