In Los Angeles, a lawsuit has been lodged against Smokey Robinson, alleging that the famed Motown singer subjected four former housekeepers to repeated sexual assaults and rapes during their employment. Filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, the suit demands at least $50 million for these alleged incidents and associated labor violations, including a hostile workplace, excessive working hours, and unpaid wages.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Robinson’s spokesperson were unsuccessful at the time. According to the allegations, Robinson would wait until he was alone with each housekeeper before carrying out the assaults, despite their objections. John Harris, the women’s legal representative, expressed at a news conference that Smokey Robinson’s actions reflect those of a “serial and sick rapist” who must be held accountable.
All the women eventually left their jobs due to the assaults, though some remained for several years before quitting. Their reluctance to reveal their experiences stemmed from fears of retaliation, societal stigma, and potential repercussions on their immigration statuses. Harris stated that the shame and embarrassment of disclosing these actions to their families further silenced them. Moreover, as low-wage workers, they feared losing income essential for their basic needs.
The identities of the women have been withheld for privacy concerns, and they are referred to in the lawsuit as Jane Does. During the news conference, they were present but did not speak, covering their faces to maintain anonymity. Frances Robinson, Smokey’s wife, is also named as a defendant, accused of facilitating the singer’s actions and contributing to the hostile environment through derogatory language.
The lawsuit outlines individual accounts—one woman claims she endured over 20 assaults from 2012 to 2024, another recounts at least 23 during 2014 to 2020, and a third alleges seven assaults over a single year. The fourth woman’s account specifies involvement as Frances Robinson’s assistant, hairdresser, and cook for 18 years, paralleling the others’ experiences without detailing the frequency of assault. Despite working concurrently, the women had kept their trauma hidden from one another but are now uniting over shared experiences, their legal team stated.
Sought damages include reparations for sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and more. Harris underscored that no amount of compensation could truly account for what the women suffered, yet the $50 million claim reflects the severity of Robinson’s alleged misconduct. While the women have yet to file police reports due to lingering fears, attorney Herbert Hayden mentioned the assaults might merit a criminal probe.
Smokey Robinson, celebrated for his immense musical contributions with hits like “Tears of a Clown” and roles within Motown Records, now faces these serious allegations that starkly contrast with his public persona as a musical icon.