Smokey Robinson Sued by Ex-Housekeepers for Rape \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Four former housekeepers have filed a $50 million lawsuit against Smokey Robinson, accusing him of years of sexual assault and rape. The women allege a pattern of abuse spanning 2007 to 2024, under exploitative work conditions. The lawsuit also names Robinson’s wife, alleging her complicity and verbal abuse.
Quick Looks
- Four women allege sexual assault and rape by Smokey Robinson.
- Accusations span 2007 to 2024 and involve severe labor violations.
- Women claim fear of retaliation, immigration risks, and economic hardship kept them silent.
- Lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks $50 million in damages.
- Frances Robinson, Smokey’s wife, also named for enabling abuse and verbal harassment.
- Plaintiffs appear masked as Jane Does, citing privacy concerns.
- Lawsuit includes claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence.
Deep Look
Smokey Robinson, a revered figure in American music and one of the central architects of the Motown sound, is facing deeply troubling allegations. Four former housekeepers have filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing the 85-year-old singer-songwriter of repeated sexual assaults and rapes over a 17-year span, from 2007 to 2024. The lawsuit also targets Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, alleging that she was not only aware of the abuse but also actively fostered a toxic and abusive work environment.
The plaintiffs, all identified as “Jane Does” for privacy and safety reasons, claim they were subjected to relentless abuse while working as domestic staff in Robinson’s Los Angeles residence. Each woman recounted experiences of being isolated by Robinson and subsequently sexually assaulted, with incidents occurring regularly and over extended periods of time. One woman alleges at least 20 separate assaults during her tenure from 2012 to 2024. Another said she experienced a minimum of 23 attacks from 2014 to 2020. A third woman, employed for a single year before leaving in 2024, claimed at least seven incidents. The fourth woman, who held multiple roles including assistant, cook, and hairdresser to Frances Robinson, reported a similar pattern of abuse over her 18-year employment.
Despite overlapping employment periods, none of the women initially disclosed the abuse to one another. The lawsuit explains that fear of retaliation, immigration concerns, and economic dependence played critical roles in their prolonged silence. Attorney John Harris, representing the women, said, “These women remained silent not because they weren’t suffering, but because speaking up meant risking everything — their livelihoods, their dignity, their safety, and their families’ well-being.”
Harris, speaking at a press conference, referred to Robinson as a “serial and sick rapist” who exploited his position of power and fame to prey on vulnerable employees. He emphasized that the women endured not just physical and emotional trauma but also severe financial stress — often working without proper compensation, for long hours, and under degrading conditions. He described their experience as a tragic intersection of sexual violence and labor exploitation.
Adding to the complexity of the case, the lawsuit also alleges that Frances Robinson contributed to the hostile work environment. The plaintiffs claim she regularly berated them using demeaning and racially charged language, creating an emotionally abusive atmosphere. One woman stated that Frances’s verbal abuse often occurred in close proximity to, or even immediately after, incidents of sexual violence committed by her husband — suggesting a broader pattern of systemic mistreatment within the household.
The plaintiffs’ legal team says they are seeking $50 million in damages, citing the extensive emotional, psychological, and financial harm caused by the Robinsons’ actions. The suit includes charges of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, wage theft, and hostile workplace violations.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, the plaintiffs have not filed criminal charges — a decision driven, according to attorney Herbert Hayden, by the same fears that initially prevented them from speaking out. “They fear deportation, they fear being disbelieved, and they fear the overwhelming power that Mr. Robinson’s fame and legacy still hold,” Hayden said. Nonetheless, he argued that civil litigation remains a powerful avenue for justice and accountability.
During the press event, the four women appeared alongside their attorneys but did not speak. They wore face coverings to preserve their anonymity. While the details of how they discovered their shared experiences were not disclosed, their attorneys confirmed that this sense of solidarity helped them find the courage to take legal action together.
Smokey Robinson has yet to issue a public response to the allegations. A message sent to his representatives was not immediately returned. Known globally for his contributions to soul and R&B music, Robinson’s legacy includes iconic hits like “The Tracks of My Tears”, “Tears of a Clown”, and “Cruisin’”. A founding member of The Miracles and a pillar of the Motown Records empire, he has long been celebrated for his lyrical genius and artistic influence. He is an inductee in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The lawsuit is poised to cast a long shadow over Robinson’s storied career, opening yet another chapter in the broader cultural reckoning around celebrity, power, and abuse. The plaintiffs’ attorneys emphasized that, while no amount of money could truly compensate for what these women endured, the damages sought are meant to reflect the severity and longevity of the misconduct. “This case is about justice,” Harris said. “Justice delayed, but not denied.”
The case continues to develop, and it remains to be seen whether criminal proceedings will follow. Regardless, the lawsuit marks a major escalation in calls for accountability from high-profile figures long protected by their fame.
Smokey Robinson Sued Smokey Robinson Sued
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