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Motown Music Legend Smokey Robinson Accused by Former Housekeepers of Sexual Assault

BBG News

LOS ANGELES – In a lawsuit filed this week, four previous domestic workers of Smokey Robinson claim he repeatedly subjected them to sexual harassment and rape during their employment with him.

The lawsuit submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court aims for a minimum compensation of $50 million due to the claimed assaults, happening between 2007 and 2024, as well as labor issues such as creating a hostile work environment, forcing excessive working hours illegally, and failing to provide wages.

An attempt to get a response from a spokesperson for the 85-year-old Robinson went unanswered right away.

As a film critic, I’d rephrase it like this: In my personal opinion, each of the four women assert that Robinson would seize private moments within his LA residence to exploit them sexually against their will, using force when necessary.

At a press conference, lawyer John Harris expressed their firm conviction that Mr. Robinson has been repeatedly committing heinous acts of sexual violence, and emphasized the urgent need to bring him to justice.

Everyone ultimately chose to leave due to the incidents of harassment, although for certain individuals, this decision took multiple years. Additionally, everyone expressed concerns about speaking up due to apprehensions over potential reprisals, social stigma, and potential impact on their immigration standing.

According to Harris, they found themselves deeply ashamed and humiliated as they had to disclose such deplorable behavior to their husbands and children. Consequently, during their harrowing ordeals with Mr. Robinson, these four women chose to keep quiet.

In simpler terms, he stated that, just like many others with lower wages, they too were anxious about the possibility of missing a paycheck, which could lead to difficulties in paying rent or providing food for their loved ones.

In court papers, all four women chose not to disclose their real names due to privacy matters. They were referred to as “Jane Does.” During the press conference, they stood alongside their lawyers but remained silent, concealing their identities behind facial masks.

Additionally, the lawsuit includes Frances Robinson, Robinson’s wife, as a defendant. This is due to accusations of her supporting his inappropriate behavior, even though she was aware of past instances of sexual misconduct. Furthermore, it claims that she contributed to a hostile work environment by verbally abusing others using offensive language that included racial slurs.

Four women shared their experiences of working for the Robinsons between 2012 and 2024. One woman worked there from 2012 until 2024 and was assaulted at least 20 times during that period. Another, who worked from 2014 to 2020, experienced at least 23 assaults. A third woman worked for a year before quitting in 2024 and faced at least seven assaults. The fourth woman, who served as Frances Robinson’s personal assistant, hairdresser, and cook for 18 years until her resignation in 2024, did not disclose the frequency of her assaults but echoed similar experiences as the other women.

As someone who holds them in high regard, I’ve come to understand that several women, who happened to work for the Robinsons concurrently, had been discreet about the incidents of harassment they experienced, choosing to keep their stories to themselves. However, it seems that a shared experience has brought them closer, and now they are finding solace in one another’s company, as the attorneys have shared at the press conference. Unfortunately, the specifics of how they decided to speak up and connect with others remain undisclosed during the news conference.

The lawsuit is aiming for compensation due to accusations involving sexual assault, physical attack, unlawful confinement, violence related to gender, and additional claims.

I firmly believe that no sum of money could ever truly make up for the ordeal these women endured at the hands of Mr. Robinson, but given the extreme nature of his abhorrent and detestable behavior, a $50 million settlement seems appropriate.

Attorney Herbert Hayden stated that although the alleged assaults warrant a criminal inquiry, the women have chosen not to file police reports due to the same apprehensions that initially prevented them from speaking out.

Robinson, who is recognized in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was one of the most successful songwriters during the 1960s. Not only did he achieve success with his group the Miracles, but also as a solo artist, with hits like “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.

In his native city of Detroit, he played a crucial role within the Motown Records music empire, not just as an artist but also as a producer and songwriter for various other musicians.

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2025-05-07 06:06

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