Motown singer Smokey Robinson is being sued for $50 million (€44 million) by four former housekeepers who alleged he sexually assaulted them over several years, with his wife accused of helping him create a hostile work environment.
The women, who all filed under Jae Doe pseudonyms, claim the abuse occurred at Robinson's home in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles from 2007 until 2024. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, also accuses the singer of labour violations, including failure to pay proper wages.
Robinson, 85, is facing accusations including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and gender violence. His wife, Frances Robinson, is also named in the suit and is accused of using "ethnically pejorative" language and yelling at staff.
A spokesperson for Robinson did not immediately respond to requests for comment and no criminal charges have been filed to date.
Three of the women appeared at a press conference in Los Angeles wearing masks and dark sunglasses, with the fourth joining remotely. Attorney John Harris said his clients' delay in coming forward is due to cultural stigma, fear of job loss and Robinson's celebrity status.
"No amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to," Harris told reporters. He added that "given the gravity" of his alleged misconduct, "this amount is warranted".
Lawyers for the women say they would welcome a criminal investigation, though prosecutors have not been in contact. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said no case had been submitted for review, and police declined to comment.
Robinson rose to fame in the 1960s as the frontman of The Miracles and helped shape the Motown sound with his hits like Tears of a Clown. He later had a successful solo career, releasing more than 30 charting singles.
Source: Reuters
