Iconic singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson is facing serious allegations of reputational damage following a lawsuit initiated by a former employee. The claims include rape, sexual assault, and false imprisonment.
The 85-year-old, whose real name is William Robinson Jr., has made a name for himself with his heartfelt lyrics and smooth melodies, attracting admiration both for his own hits and those he penned for other Motown artists.
Currently, however, Robinson is accused of creating a hostile work atmosphere, with four women alleging various forms of misconduct at his residence in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, between 2007 and 2024. His wife, Francis Robinson, is also named in the lawsuit, which was filed in California Superior Court.
The lawsuit outlines 27 pages detailing how Robinson purportedly led these women to secluded areas of his home. The plaintiffs, four former housekeepers referred to as “Jane Doe” for anonymity, claim he subjected them to numerous instances of gender-based violence.
Among the more disturbing allegations, one woman states that she was isolated with Robinson under questionable circumstances, with the lawsuit suggesting that Francis intentionally set up such situations, even arranging her own outings to give Robinson private access.
“He would summon her to either the laundry room or the garage where there were no cameras,” the lawsuit claims.
According to the complaint, one accuser reported being assaulted by Robinson multiple times and was allegedly threatened not to speak out. The allegations suggest an environment where fear and coercion were prevalent.
The lawsuit further asserts that during the period from January 2023 to February 2024, another former housekeeper faced sexual harassment on multiple occasions, ultimately leading her to resign due to the ongoing assaults.
One of the unnamed housekeepers described a scenario where Robinson would quickly bring her into his bedroom after taking his wife out, leading to an assault that left her feeling helpless.
Another accuser mentioned being offered money for inappropriate acts and indicated a troubling pattern of abuse over many years, specifically highlighting instances of coercion and an unsettling power dynamic.
Claims in the lawsuit range from negligence and sexual battery to gender violence and hostile working conditions, asserting that Francis Robinson contributed to this environment by dismissing or ignoring the misconduct she was allegedly aware of.
As these allegations unfold, Smokey Robinson is also celebrating a milestone during his “Legacy Tour,” marking 50 years since the release of his 1975 album, “A Quiet Storm,” with performances scheduled across both the US and UK.
