Four women have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Motown legend Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, alleging years of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by four Jane Does, seeks a trial and general damages of no less than $50 million.
The women, who were employed as housekeepers at the Robinsons’ Chatsworth, CA, residence, detail similar accounts of alleged sexual assault by Smokey Robinson during their employment. The lawsuit also claims that Frances Robinson fostered a hostile work environment through the use of “ethnically pejorative words and language” while yelling at her husband. Furthermore, the suit alleges that despite knowing about previous similar allegations and settlements involving Smokey Robinson, Frances Robinson failed to take adequate steps to prevent further misconduct.
Representatives for Smokey Robinson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to the lawsuit reviewed by The Associated Press, the four Jane Does describe distinct periods of employment and instances of alleged abuse.
Jane Doe 1 stated she worked for the Robinsons from January 2023 to February 2024. She alleges that she was compelled to resign due to repeated assaults and harassment. The lawsuit claims that Smokey Robinson would schedule her for weekend work, coinciding with times he would take his wife to the nail salon. Upon returning home alone with the first plaintiff, he would allegedly call her into his bedroom, lock the door, and proceed to sexually assault her after showering, despite her verbal protests. The suit details at least seven such instances of assault.
Jane Doe 2 was employed from May 2014 until February 2020 and alleges being assaulted on no fewer than 23 separate occasions. The alleged assaults reportedly began in late 2016. According to the lawsuit, Smokey Robinson would text her to meet him in areas of his residence devoid of closed-circuit camera surveillance. Upon her arrival, he would allegedly “immediately grab her and begin to penetrate her vagina with his fingers, causing her excruciating pain, and then would proceed to rape her.” The suit further claims that he “would enjoy ejaculating all over [her] face, much to his satisfaction and her abject humiliation.”
Jane Doe 3 worked for the Robinsons from February 2012 until April 2024 and makes similar allegations of repeated rape, claiming at least 20 instances. The lawsuit recounts one specific incident where, upon her resisting his alleged advances, Smokey Robinson offered her $500 for oral sex, which she refused.
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Jane Doe 4 was employed as Frances Robinson’s personal assistant and chef from October 2006 through April 2024. She alleges her first assault occurred in 2007 when she accompanied Smokey Robinson to his Las Vegas residence.
The lawsuit states that all four Jane Does refrained from taking action against Smokey Robinson due to fears of losing their jobs, potential familial reprisal, or the embarrassment associated with coming forward. The suit also notes that some of the women were concerned about potential negative impacts on their immigration status.
The lawsuit marks a significant development in the career of Smokey Robinson, an iconic figure in American music history as a singer, songwriter, and record producer, primarily known for his work with Motown Records. The allegations of sexual assault and the claims of a hostile work environment are likely to generate considerable attention and scrutiny as the legal proceedings unfold. The demands for a jury trial and substantial financial damages underscore the gravity of the accusations made by the four women.
