Smokey Robinson Accused of Sexual Assault in Lawsuit Filed by Former Employees
Four former employees of legendary R&B singer Smokey Robinson have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing the 85-year-old of sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, gender violence, and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, also names Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, alleging she failed to intervene despite reportedly being aware of the misconduct. The women, who worked as housekeepers for the couple between 2012 and 2024, describe disturbing patterns of abuse during their employment.
One accuser, identified as Jane Doe 1, claimed Robinson sexually assaulted her on at least seven occasions between March 2023 and her resignation in February 2024. Another, Jane Doe 2, alleged that over a six-year span, she was raped by the singer more than 20 times, often in areas of the home without security cameras. A third accuser described a similar pattern of repeated assaults, while a fourth stated the abuse began as early as 2007 during a trip to Las Vegas. Several women alleged that Robinson used intimidation or manipulation, including threats involving his wife, to coerce their silence.
In addition to the assault allegations, the plaintiffs claim they were denied overtime pay and required rest and meal breaks. The women said they did not report the alleged abuse earlier due to fear, financial dependency, and shame.
