LOS ANGELES (AP) – A lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court brings serious allegations against Smokey Robinson, a legendary figure in the Motown music scene. The suit involves four former housekeepers who claim that Robinson subjected them to repeated sexual assault and rape over the course of their employment, which spanned from 2007 to 2024. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $50 million in damages, citing violations that include a hostile work environment, excessively long hours, and failure to provide appropriate wages.
The four women, who remain unnamed to protect their privacy and are referred to as Jane Does in court filings, each allege that Robinson exploited their vulnerability, waiting until he was alone with them in his Los Angeles residence to carry out the assaults. At a news conference, attorney John Harris characterized Robinson as a "serial and sick rapist" and emphasized the urgency to put a stop to his actions.
According to the lawsuit, each of the women eventually decided to resign due to the ongoing abuse, with some enduring the harrowing circumstances for several years before feeling compelled to leave. Fear of retaliation, public humiliation, and potential repercussions on their immigration status were significant factors that delayed their decision to come forward. Harris highlighted the emotional toll the situation took on the plaintiffs, stating, "Having to tell their husband and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment," which contributed to their prolonged silence.
The lawsuit also identifies Frances Robinson, Smokey Robinson's wife, as a defendant. It is alleged that she was complicit in enabling her husband's behavior while being aware of past incidents of sexual misconduct. Furthermore, the suit accuses her of fostering a hostile work environment, characterized by derogatory remarks, including ethnic slurs directed at the housekeepers.
The women's individual accounts reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse: one claims to have been assaulted at least 20 times during her employment from 2012 to 2024, while another reports at least 23 assaults from 2014 to 2020. A third woman states she endured at least seven incidents over a year of service before quitting in 2024. The fourth plaintiff, who also took on roles as Frances Robinson's personal assistant, hairdresser, and cook, worked for the couple for 18 years before resigning, sharing similar experiences but withholding the specifics of her assaults.
These housekeepers, some of whom were employed simultaneously, had kept their harrowing experiences to themselves, unaware that they were not alone. Their bond over this shared trauma has grown since they discovered one another's stories. However, details regarding how they came together and the process of coming forward were not disclosed at the conference.
The legal claims encompass a variety of allegations, including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence. While the plaintiffs' attorneys, Harris and Herbert Hayden, have expressed that the nature of the claims warrants a criminal investigation, the women have refrained from filing police reports. Their hesitation arises from the same fears that initially prevented them from disclosing the assault: concerns about job security and the financial implications of missing work.
Smokey Robinson, aged 85 and a celebrated figure in the music industry, achieved monumental success during the 1960s, both as a member of the group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with iconic hits such as "Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears." He played a crucial role within the Motown Records framework, contributing not only as a performer but also as a producer and songwriter for various artists.
