Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, have been named in a $50 million lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by four women alleging a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse, workplace violations, and gender-based violence.
The plaintiffs, identified only as Jane Does in the complaint, are former housekeepers who worked at the Robinsons’ home in Chatsworth, California. The lawsuit alleges that over a span of years, the women endured repeated sexual assaults, false imprisonment, verbal degradation, and labor exploitation—acts allegedly committed by Smokey Robinson, with his wife accused of enabling the abuse and fostering a hostile work environment.
Allegations Detail a Pattern of Abuse
According to the complaint, the alleged assaults span back as far as 2007, with each of the women recounting episodes where Robinson reportedly used physical force and coercion to isolate and sexually violate them. One plaintiff stated Robinson would text her throughout the day to meet him in secluded parts of the mansion where security cameras were absent. The women claim they felt powerless to escape due to threats, locked doors, and fear of retaliation.
“Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist and must be stopped,” said attorney John Harris during a press conference Tuesday. While Harris declined to describe the alleged acts in graphic detail, he emphasized the psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on his clients, all of whom are Hispanic women.
“Our four clients have a common thread: they’re Hispanic women,” Harris said, suggesting a potential pattern of racial and gender-based targeting.
Workplace Violations and Hostile Environment
Beyond the sexual battery allegations, the lawsuit outlines severe workplace violations. The plaintiffs claim they were underpaid—one reportedly earning just $10 an hour—denied legally required rest breaks, and not compensated for overtime work. Additionally, Frances Robinson is accused of contributing to a toxic environment through verbal abuse and emotional manipulation, as well as allegedly being aware of prior settlements involving her husband and other women.
“She knew and failed to act,” the lawsuit alleges. The complaint claims that Frances Robinson not only tolerated but effectively enabled her husband’s behavior by remaining silent and intimidating staff through disparaging remarks and dismissiveness.
Fear Silenced the Victims
None of the women initially reported the abuse to law enforcement. Their attorney cited fear of deportation, economic hardship, and familial shame as reasons for their silence. “Telling their husbands and children was a source of deep shame and embarrassment,” Harris explained. “Throughout their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all four women remained silent.”
The plaintiffs say they were ultimately forced to resign from their positions due to the hostile and unsafe conditions.
Legal and Public Fallout
CBS News Los Angeles has reached out to the Robinsons for comment, but no official response has been issued as of publication.
While Robinson, 85, is a globally celebrated figure for his musical contributions and decades-long career, this lawsuit may cast a shadow over his legacy. The case is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, potentially drawing attention not only from the entertainment industry but also from advocates of workplace protections and survivors of abuse.
What’s Next?
The Los Angeles Superior Court will schedule initial proceedings once the case is formally reviewed. Given the scope of the allegations and the $50 million in damages sought, legal experts expect a prolonged and high-profile legal battle.
The case raises pressing questions about abuse of power, accountability in celebrity households, and the vulnerability of domestic workers, particularly immigrants and women of color, within private employment settings.
