On May 6, 2025, four former housekeepers filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Motown icon Smokey Robinson, 85, and his wife, Frances Robinson. The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Does 1 through 4, allege that Robinson subjected them to repeated sexual assaults, including rape, between 2007 and 2024 at his residences in California and Nevada. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages, citing sexual battery, false imprisonment, gender violence, and labor violations.
The women claim that Robinson used his celebrity status to intimidate and control them, often isolating them under the guise of work duties before committing the assaults. One plaintiff alleges she was raped at least 20 times, while another reports 23 instances of sexual assault during her employment. The lawsuit also accuses Frances Robinson of fostering a hostile work environment, using ethnically derogatory language, and failing to intervene despite knowledge of her husband’s alleged misconduct. Page SixEW.com
The plaintiffs, all Hispanic women, state they were overworked, underpaid, and denied basic labor rights such as overtime pay and rest breaks. Fear of retaliation, public shame, and potential immigration consequences reportedly prevented them from coming forward sooner. Their attorney, John Harris, described Robinson as a “serial and sick rapist” and emphasized the courage it took for the women to file the lawsuit.
As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, and Robinson has not publicly responded to the allegations. The case highlights ongoing concerns about abuse of power and labor exploitation within domestic employment settings.
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