Four former housekeepers have filed a lawsuit against legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson, accusing him of rape and sexual assault. The lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks at least $50 million in damages, claiming the assaults occurred between 2007 and 2024. The plaintiffs allege that Robinson would wait until he was alone with them in his Los Angeles home before assaulting and raping them. In addition to Robinson, his wife, Frances Robinson, is named as a defendant, accused of enabling his alleged actions and fostering an abusive work environment.
Smokey Robinson Denies Allegations, Accusers Detail Years of Abuse Amid Legal Battle
Smokey Robinson’s lawyer, Christopher Frost, strongly denied the accusations, calling the allegations “vile” and “false.” In a statement released on Wednesday, Frost asserted that the lawsuit was a malicious attempt to extract money from the 85-year-old music icon. He indicated that evidence would prove the claims are baseless, pointing out inconsistencies in the plaintiffs’ testimonies and questioning the credibility of the timeline presented in the lawsuit. Robinson’s legal team has vowed to fight the allegations in court and dismiss the case.
Smokey Robinson Sued for Rape and Sexual Assault by Former Housekeepers in $50M LawsuitThe four women involved in the lawsuit have each provided harrowing accounts of repeated sexual assaults by Robinson. One woman claimed she worked for him from 2012 to 2024, enduring at least 20 assaults during that time. Another accuser, employed between 2014 and 2020, said she was assaulted 23 times. All the plaintiffs said they eventually quit their jobs due to the abuse, but feared coming forward due to potential retaliation, public shame, and concerns about their immigration status. Their lawyers believe a criminal investigation is warranted, despite the women’s hesitation to report Robinson to the police.
Lawyers Defend Plaintiffs’ Claims as Truthful, While Robinson’s Team Dismisses Publicity Stunt Allegations
The plaintiffs’ lawyers, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, defended their clients’ claims, describing them as truthful and not “vile,” as Robinson’s lawyer suggested. They emphasized that the lawsuit described a pattern of criminal behavior by the Motown star. Meanwhile, Robinson’s legal team dismissed a news conference held by the plaintiffs as a publicity stunt. Frost accused the accusers of trying to manipulate public opinion and urged people to reserve judgment until all facts of the case come to light.
Smokey Robinson, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was a prominent figure in the music world, especially during the 1960s. As a member of the Miracles and a successful solo artist, he helped shape the sound of Motown Records with hits like “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” Despite his decades-long legacy in the music industry, these serious allegations against him have raised questions about his personal conduct, overshadowing his renowned career for the time being.