Four women who formerly worked as housekeepers for Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, have filed a civil lawsuit against him in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The lawsuit accuses the Motown legend of repeated sexual assault, harassment, and other serious misconduct during their employment.
The suit, filed Tuesday, identifies the plaintiffs anonymously as Jane Doe 1 through 4.
The women allege that Robinson, 85, subjected them to ‘repeated sexual assaults and sexual harassment’ at his Chatsworth residence and other locations, including a home in Las Vegas.
The complaint also names Frances Robinson as a defendant, citing her role in creating a hostile work environment and failing to intervene despite allegedly being aware of her husband’s past misconduct.
The women are seeking a jury trial and general damages of no less than $50million USD (approx. £40m).
Jane Doe 1 worked for the couple from March 2023 to February 2024. Jane Doe 2 was employed from May 2014 to February 2020. Jane Doe 3 worked in the Robinsons’ household from February 2012 until April 2024.
As per Variety, the suit claims that Jane Doe 1 worked on weekends, when Robinson typically took Frances to the nail salon. After dropping off his wife, Robinson would speed home to be alone with the Jane Doe.
Jane Doe 2 was assaulted on at least 23 different occasions, according to the suit, with the alleged assaults beginning in the latter part of 2016.
The suit claims that after texting Jane Doe 2 to come to different areas of the house, he would ‘immediately grab her and begin to penetrate her vagina with his fingers, causing her excruciating pain, and then would proceed to rape her.’ The suit also claims Robinson ‘would enjoy ejaculating all over [her] face, much to his satisfaction and her abject humiliation.’
Jane Doe 3 allegedly was raped at least 20 times.
Jane Doe 4 worked not only as a housekeeper but also served as Frances Robinson’s personal assistant, cook, and hairdresser from October 2006 until April 2024, when she resigned.
The lawsuit claims Robinson called her into his bedroom and locked the door, and after showering, began sexually assaulting. The suit claims he assaulted her at least seven times.
Her complaint includes allegations of sexual assault beginning in 2007 during a trip to Las Vegas with Smokey Robinson.
All four women describe similar patterns of misconduct and allege that they ultimately resigned due to the abuse and toxic conditions.
In addition to sexual assault, the plaintiffs accuse Robinson of false imprisonment and gender-based violence.
The lawsuit further alleges that Frances Robinson verbally abused the women and used ‘ethnically pejorative words and language’ while yelling at her husband, contributing to a hostile and unsafe work environment.
The plaintiffs’ legal team is expected to address the media at a news conference Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, Variety reports.
A singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive who played a foundational role in the development of Motown and modern soul music, Smokey Robinson was born in Detroit in 1940.
He first gained fame as the frontman of The Miracles, with hits like Shop Around, You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, and The Tracks of My Tears.
As both a performer and a prolific songwriter, Robinson was crucial to the success of Motown Records, penning songs not only for The Miracles but also for artists like The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye.
Robinson served as Vice President of Motown, shaping the label’s artistic direction during its golden years.
Over the course of his career, Robinson has won numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Medal of Arts.
Metro has contacted representatives of Smokey Robinson for comment.
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