Los Angeles (AP) – A lawsuit filed on Tuesday claims that four former housekeepers of Smokey Robinson were sexually assaulted and raped during their employment.
The lawsuit, presented in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks at least $50 million in damages for incidents allegedly occurring between 2007 and 2024. It also raises concerns over labor violations, including hostile work environments, excessively long hours, and underpayment.
Attempts to reach a representative for the 85-year-old Robinson for comment have not received a response.
Each of the women stated that Robinson would wait until he was alone with them in his home and then assault them, ignoring their objections.
“I believe that Robinson is a serial, sick rapist who must be stopped,” stated attorney John Harris at a press conference.
All four women reported they eventually ceased their assaults, although this process, for some, took several years. They expressed fears of retaliation, social stigma, and potential repercussions for their immigration status.
“There was a lot of shame and embarrassment in having to share these experiences with their husbands and children,” Harris added. “Due to their horrific experiences with Mr. Robinson, all four women chose to remain silent.”
According to Harris, as low-wage earners, they were also frightened of missing paychecks and struggling to afford essentials for their families.
Each woman chose to use the name “Jane” in court documents to protect their identities. They attended a press conference with their attorney but did not speak, opting to cover their faces with masks.
The lawsuit further claims that Robinson’s wife, Francis Robinson, was complicit, allowing his behavior to continue despite being aware of previous misconduct. She is also accused of fostering a hostile work environment and using derogatory language.
One woman reported working for the Robinsons from 2012 to 2024, suffering at least 20 assaults during that time. Another mentioned working from 2014 to 2020 and facing at least 23 assaults. Yet another recounted being assaulted at least seven times before she quit in 2024. The fourth woman worked for 18 years as a personal assistant, hairdresser, and cook for Frances Robinson before resigning in 2024.
The women reportedly supported one another’s accounts of abuse while they worked together, and now, through shared experiences, have formed a stronger bond, according to their lawyer. They chose not to disclose specific details about their journeys to discovering that they were not alone.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for sexual assault, physical assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and several other claims.
“There’s really no sum that can truly compensate these women for what they went through,” Harris commented. However, he mentioned that the $50 million figure reflects the severity of Mr. Robinson’s reprehensible actions.
Plaintiff’s attorney Herbert Hayden expressed that the allegations merit a criminal investigation, though the women have refrained from filing police reports due to concerns that previously deterred them from moving forward.
Robinson is recognized as a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was a leading force in the music scene of the 1960s. He played a crucial role at Motown Records in his native Detroit, contributing as an artist, producer, and songwriter.
