Motown Legend Smokey Robinson Sued for $50M Over Sexual Assault Claims by Former Housekeepers -

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Los Angeles, May 7: Smokey Robinson, the Motown singing-songwriting legend admired for his signature voice and role in American music, is now in the midst of serious legal drama. A $50 million civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges multiple counts of sexual assault and abuse by the 84-year-old artist against four former housekeepers who worked for him.

Filed on May 6 by Los Angeles-based law firm Harris & Hayden, the complaint details terrifying claims filed by four women, known only as Jane Does 1 through 4 in court documents, who accuse Robinson of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and violence on the basis of gender. The lawsuit also identifies his wife, Frances Robinson, as a co-defendant, charging her with abetting a hostile work environment and not acting despite purported prior knowledge of her husband’s actions.

In a press conference held outside the courthouse, lawyer John Harris labeled the plaintiffs as low-income Hispanic women who were in vulnerable situations and could not protect themselves because they were financially dependent on others and afraid of backlash. “These women came forward with great courage, knowing the power imbalance they faced. Smokey Robinson is a giant in the music world, while these women were working below minimum wage just to survive,” Harris said.

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In the suit, a reprehensible pattern repeats itself in each of the four women’s versions. Jane Does 1, 3, and 4 claim they were attacked in Robinson’s Chatsworth home bedroom—described in the lawsuit as the “blue bedroom.” The women reported Robinson used a towel to shield the sheets prior to forcing himself on them. Jane Doe 4’s claims reach beyond California, alleging rape at Robinson’s homes in Las Vegas and Bell Canyon.

Jane Doe 2’s account involves rape in the laundry area and garage of the Chatsworth house — areas reportedly selected due to sparse surveillance camera coverage. These claims, if true, indicate deliberate and repeated abuse spanning a considerable amount of time.

The legal team was unambiguous in their denunciation. “We feel Mr. Robinson is a predatory menace,” stated Harris. “His celebrity does not exempt him from responsibility. These women deserve justice.”

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Frances Robinson, also under legal investigation, is charged with verbal abuse and racist insults against the housekeepers, as well as a knowing tolerance of her husband’s behavior. Lawyer Herbert Hayden pointed out that she was no mere bystander. “She knew about his past behavior, including settlements with other women, and still opted to keep these victims in their place with threats, insults, and the manipulation of their economic dependence,” Hayden stated.

In spite of the seriousness of the charges, no criminal complaint or police report has been made against Smokey Robinson at the time of writing. Nevertheless, the lawyers said that the civil action could lead to a more in-depth criminal investigation.

Robinson, whose popularity was cemented as lead singer of The Miracles before he became one of the master architects of the Motown sound as a producer and songwriter, has not made a public statement on the suit. Once a treasured icon of American soul music, his legacy now hangs in the balance as the court considers the damning allegations.

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