Three women identified only as Jane Doe plaintiffs have filed a Los Angeles lawsuit accusing British actress Jodie Turner-Smith of funding her brother's cocaine use, drug sales, abusive group sex and illegal firearm possession at a luxury Hollywood apartment. The suit, filed in Los Angeles in September 2026, names both Turner-Smith and her brother, Richard Mark Anthony Smith, who court papers describe as a convicted felon.
According to the New York Post, the plaintiffs allege Turner-Smith paid for the luxury Hollywood apartment where the alleged abuse and drug activity took place, and that she gave her brother an Audi that was allegedly used to transport packages containing narcotics to USPS locations for shipment across state lines. Federal law prohibits unlawful distribution of controlled substances by mail, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reports that inspectors seized approximately 96,668 pounds of mailed narcotics and other drugs during fiscal year 2018. The residence named in the suit is at 1555 Vine Street; Sunset + Vine Apartments is an apartment community in Hollywood.
What the Three Plaintiffs Allege
Court documents describe three separate women's encounters with Richard Mark Anthony Smith. Jane Doe 1 says she visited his residence after he presented himself as financially successful and independent, and that she encountered narcotics, firearms, other weapons and sexual activity there. She alleges that Smith and another man, identified as EJ, attempted unwanted sexual conduct involving her, per the same account cited by the Post.
Jane Doe 2 says she met Smith at an after-hours party in Los Angeles in 2023, where trays of cocaine were reportedly present according to court papers. She alleges Smith provided her with drugs, that the two had a sexual relationship, and that he pressured her to take drugs and have nonconsensual sex. According to the lawsuit, Smith referred to her as his white slave and himself as her master, allegedly confined her in a walk-in closet, and forced her to engage in sexual intercourse with himself and multiple other men.
Jane Doe 3 alleges that Smith offered her housing in exchange for sex, pressured her to sell drugs, and forced sexual activity involving himself and a roommate. The three plaintiffs say they were traumatized and suffered physical and psychological injuries from their interactions with Smith, according to the lawsuit. Court papers also note that Smith's children were present during illicit activities at the Vine Street residence.
The Legal Threshold for Holding Turner-Smith Liable
The suit alleges Smith told others that Turner-Smith paid all his bills, knew about the drug operation, used cocaine with him, and helped pay for a new supply of narcotics — but the plaintiffs themselves distinguish those secondhand comments from any direct admission by Turner-Smith, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs state that Turner-Smith could be held liable only if discovery confirms her knowledge and continued assistance.
That distinction matters under California civil procedure. Under jury instructions outlined by the Judicial Council of California, civil aiding-and-abetting liability requires proof that a defendant had actual knowledge of another person's tortious conduct and provided substantial assistance or encouragement — a higher bar than simply being related to or financially supporting a family member. Separately, court papers indicate Smith's felon status is significant because California Penal Code Section 29800(a)(1) makes it a felony for anyone with a prior felony conviction to purchase, receive or possess a firearm.
Why the Plaintiffs Are Using Pseudonyms
The three women are proceeding under Jane Doe pseudonyms. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, medical expenses and other costs, and have requested a jury trial.
A representative for Turner-Smith did not respond to the Post's request for comment. Turner-Smith, born in Peterborough, England, in 1986 and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, according to her Wikipedia biography, broke out with 2019's Queen & Slim and went on to star in Disney+'s The Acolyte and Apple TV+'s Bad Monkey in 2024.
The lawsuit arrives amid an otherwise busy stretch for Turner-Smith's public profile. She starred in Taylor Swift's Opalite music video this year.
