Los Angeles, California – Renowned Motown artist William “Smokey” Robinson faces severe legal allegations from four women, referred to as Jane Does 1, 2, 3, and 4, who previously worked as housekeepers in his home. A recently filed lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court details accusations including sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, and negligence. The plaintiffs are seeking a total of $50 million in damages.
The lawsuit further implicates Robinson’s wife, Frances, alleging numerous labor violations such as failure to provide minimum wage and overtime compensation, as well as maintaining a hostile working environment. The complaint highlights an array of disturbing claims that call into question the treatment of these workers.
Robinson, who co-founded the influential Motown group The Miracles in 1955, is credited with writing and producing thousands of songs in his distinguished career. His legacy has earned him induction into major music halls of fame, but these allegations paint a starkly different picture, particularly regarding the power dynamics at play.
According to attorney John Harris, who represents the plaintiffs, the women felt intimidated by Robinson’s celebrity status, which may have deterred them from coming forward with their allegations sooner. “They’re Hispanic women working for the Robinsons, earning below minimum wage,” Harris stated during a news conference in Los Angeles. “In vulnerable situations, they felt they lacked the resources to defend themselves against such abuses.”
The claims detail a troubling pattern of alleged assaults. Three of the women maintain that Robinson assaulted them in a designated “blue bedroom” in his Chatsworth home, while another accuses him of rape at multiple locations, including his residences in Las Vegas and Bell Canyon. One woman alleges she was assaulted in areas within the home that were not monitored by surveillance cameras.
The complaint asserts that all four women experienced a toxic work environment exacerbated by Frances Robinson’s behavior. She is accused of using derogatory language towards them and failing to intervene in her husband’s actions, despite purported knowledge of his past misconduct. This assertion raises questions about complicity and whether she utilized their socioeconomic vulnerability to maintain control.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs believe strongly in the seriousness of their allegations. “We view Mr. Robinson as a predator who has engaged in repeated acts of sexual violence, and he needs to be held accountable,” added attorney Herbert Hayden. He further emphasized the need for a legal reckoning, asserting that the allegations warrant thorough scrutiny.
While the lawsuit is underway, no police reports or criminal charges have yet been filed against Robinson, highlighting a complex intersection of celebrity power and alleged misconduct that will unfold judicially. As these serious allegations progress through the legal system, they pose significant implications for both Robinson’s legacy and the broader discourse surrounding workplace harassment and exploitation.