Legendary Motown star Smokey Robinson is currently embroiled in a serious legal battle, as he is being sued by four women who worked for him as housekeepers at his California residence. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses Robinson of multiple heinous acts, including sexual assault, battery, workplace negligence, and creating a hostile work environment. Notably, his wife, Frances Robinson, has also been named as a defendant in the case.
The women, who have chosen to remain anonymous and are referred to as Jane Does for privacy reasons, are seeking a trial and a staggering $50 million in damages. The lawsuit outlines a series of allegations of sexual battery and assault that reportedly occurred from 2007 until April 2024, during their employment at Robinson’s home located in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. One claimant has alleged that she was raped at other properties owned by Robinson, including homes in Bell Canyon and Las Vegas.
The lawsuit claims that Robinson, 85, would routinely summon the women to his bedroom or other areas of his property where he allegedly committed various sexual offenses. The complaint describes Robinson's conduct as “outrageous, despicable, and intolerable in a civilized society.”
According to the lawsuit, the women described disturbing patterns of behavior. One woman recounted being sexually assaulted seven times during her year of employment, while another reported enduring at least 20 assaults over a span of 12 years. A third woman claimed to have faced at least 23 assaults during nearly six years of working for Robinson.
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Robinson engaged in a ritualistic practice before each assault, which involved summoning the women to his bedroom while he was either naked or dressed only in his underwear. The complaint states that the women expressed their objections to Robinson's advances on numerous occasions, making it clear that they did not consent to his actions.
The lawsuit also implicates Frances Robinson, alleging that she failed to take any action to prevent the assaults despite being fully aware of her husband's previous sexual misconduct. The complaint states that she contributed to a hostile work environment by verbally abusing the women and using derogatory language. One woman even alleged that Robinson threatened to make his wife be “mean” to her if she refused his sexual advances.
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of the working conditions the women faced. They reportedly worked 10-hour shifts, with three of them clocking in six days per week, yet were never compensated for overtime nor provided with lunch breaks. Additionally, they did not receive holiday pay or wage statements. One woman mentioned that she initially earned more than the state-mandated minimum wage but eventually found herself underpaid after the minimum wage increased.
All four women ultimately resigned from their positions in order to escape the alleged harassment and assaults. They refrained from reporting the incidents to law enforcement due to fears of reputational damage and feeling powerless against Robinson’s celebrity status. Attorney John Harris, representing the plaintiffs, highlighted that three of the women were particularly concerned about their immigration status, making them vulnerable in their low-wage positions.
Statistics indicate that over two-thirds of sexual assaults in the United States remain unreported, with many survivors fearing retaliation or doubting the effectiveness of reporting their cases. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), only a small fraction of reported rapes lead to felony convictions.
While the plaintiffs have not yet received any updates regarding a potential criminal investigation, their attorneys are considering the possibility of filing a police report. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office have yet to comment on the matter.
Smokey Robinson is an iconic figure in the R&B and soul music scenes, having received numerous accolades throughout his career, including multiple Grammys. Some of his most famous songs include “Ooo Baby Baby” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” He has been married to Frances, an interior designer, since 2002.
During a recent news conference, some of the women appeared alongside their attorneys, wearing face masks and sunglasses to conceal their identities. Harris emphasized that their decision to come forward was motivated by a desire to stand up for their rights and to protect other potential victims in the future. “Once they broke their silence, an avalanche of emotions began to flow between them,” he stated, highlighting the solidarity among the women.
