Smokey Robinson, 85, Accused of Sexual Assault by Four Women

Motown legend Smokey Robinson is facing a lawsuit from four anonymous housekeepers who are accusing him of sexual assault and seeking $50 million in damages.

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence against the 85-year-old singer. The lawsuit also includes allegations of labor violations, specifically concerning wages, breaks, meal times, and overtime pay.

Frances Robinson, Smokey Robinson’s wife, is also named in the lawsuit. She is accused of contributing to a hostile work environment and using “ethnically pejorative words and language.”

As of this report, representatives for the Robinsons have not responded to requests for comment, and the accusations remain unverified.

Smokey Robinson rose to fame as Motown’s first hitmaker, penning chart-topping songs such as Mary Wells’ “My Guy” and The Temptations’ “My Girl.”

Born William Robinson Jr. in Michigan, he was a key figure at Motown, serving as both a talent scout and a prominent recording artist. He is known for hits like “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Shop Around,” and “The Tears of a Clown.”

Robinson’s influence and status in the music industry are cited by the accusers’ lawyer as a factor that made the women feel “powerless.”

“They’re Hispanic women who were employed by the Robinsons earning below minimum wage,” stated John Harris at a Los Angeles press conference. “As low-wage women in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults.”

The four women are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, a decision made due to the nature of the sexual misconduct allegations, which include rape.

According to court documents, three of the women are former housekeepers, and one was employed as the singer’s personal assistant, cook, and hairdresser.

The lawsuit details claims that Robinson would summon the women to various properties he owns in Chatsworth, Bell Canyon, and Las Vegas, often when his wife was not present.

The women allege that Robinson, on occasion, emerged naked from a shower and forced them to engage in various sexual acts over several years, beginning in 2006.

Jane Does 1, 3, and 4 specifically allege that Robinson sexually assaulted them in the “blue bedroom” of his Chatsworth residence, claiming he would place a towel on the bed sheets prior to the alleged assaults.

Jane Doe 2 alleges that Robinson raped her in the laundry room and garage of his Chatsworth residence, areas where closed-circuit cameras were not present.

All four women claim that Robinson used physical barriers and threats of force to prevent them from leaving during the alleged assaults.

In addition to the sexual misconduct allegations, the lawsuit also outlines several claims of workplace violations.

The women allege they worked 10-hour days, six days a week, without being paid minimum wage or overtime, and that they worked on holidays without receiving holiday pay.

The lawsuit states that the employees ultimately resigned due to the alleged sexual misconduct and the hostile work environment.

The BBC has reached out to Smokey Robinson’s representatives for a response to the lawsuit.

Authorities indicate that no police reports or criminal charges have been filed against the musician.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney stated that the women’s claims are not currently under review because law enforcement has not presented a case. The Los Angeles Police Department has declined to comment on the matter.