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Renowned musician Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual misconduct and false imprisonment in a lawsuit filed by four former employees. According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the claims against the 85-year-old Robinson emerged on Tuesday.
The plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to harassment and assault during their employment as housekeepers at Robinson’s Chatsworth home from 2006 to 2024. They are seeking $50 million in damages.
Among the accusations, Frances Robinson, Smokey’s wife of 25 years, faces claims of fostering a hostile work environment. The lawsuit asserts that she failed to take necessary corrective actions against her husband’s alleged misconduct, despite being aware of past incidents involving similar allegations from other women.
The lawsuit identifies one plaintiff, Jane Doe 1 (JD1), who worked for Robinson from January 2023 to February 2024. She claims to have resigned due to repeated sexual assaults and harassment. JD1 reported that Robinson allegedly assaulted her at least seven times during her tenure, rendering her unwilling to file complaints due to fear of losing her job and worrying about familial repercussions.
The lawsuit details instances where Robinson would call JD1 into his “blue bedroom,” locking the door behind her. The documents describe how he would wear only his underwear and prepare the bedroom in anticipation of the assault.
JD1 stated that in her attempts to resist, she would point out that Robinson was married, but her protests allegedly fell on deaf ears.
Jane Doe 2 (JD2) claims that her sexual assaults began in 2016. According to the lawsuit, Robinson would send text messages instructing JD2 to meet him in secluded areas of the Chatsworth residence. Once there, she alleges that he would rape her, resulting in at least 23 instances of assault.
In a troubling revelation, JD2 claims that Robinson threatened her. He allegedly warned that if she refused his advances, his wife, Frances, would become “mean” toward her.
Another plaintiff, Jane Doe 3 (JD3), alleges that she endured repeated acts of rape throughout nearly her entire employment from February 2012 to April 2024, when she felt compelled to resign. JD3 asserts that Robinson raped her at least 20 times, detailing one instance where he reportedly offered her $500 to perform a sexual act, which she vehemently rejected.
Jane Doe 4 (JD4) reportedly began working for Robinson in October 2006, serving various roles including housekeeper and personal assistant. She claims that she experienced her first sexual assault in 2007 during a visit to his Las Vegas home. Additionally, JD4 states that Frances contributed to a toxic work atmosphere by verbally abusing her in an ethnic manner.
The lawsuit collectively emphasizes the grave emotional and psychological damage inflicted on the four women by Robinson’s conduct. They allege not only sexual battery and assault, but also negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender violence.
In their claims, the four accusers assert that the actions of Robinson have severely harmed and humiliated them.
The legal battle against Smokey Robinson highlights ongoing issues of workplace misconduct and the challenges victims face when speaking out. High-profile cases of sexual assault often draw considerable public attention, but they also underscore systemic problems within organizational environments that can enable abuse.
Representatives for Smokey Robinson have not yet commented on the situation following the lawsuit’s announcement. The absence of immediate response allows speculation to flourish about the potential consequences of these allegations for Robinson’s long-standing career.
The shock of these allegations may prompt discussion around the music industry’s treatment of sexual misconduct claims and the mechanisms in place for accountability. As this case unfolds, it will likely attract further scrutiny from both the media and the public.
As more information emerges, observers will undoubtedly examine the impact on Robinson’s legacy as a Motown icon and the broader repercussions for the culture of celebrity and power dynamics in workplaces.
The judicial process will systematically address these serious accusations, as the plaintiffs pursue justice for alleged wrongs. The outcome of this lawsuit may establish important precedents regarding how sexual assault allegations are handled within the entertainment industry and society at large.
The unfolding of this case invites further dialogue about the importance of creating safe workplaces free from harassment and intimidation and emphasizes the need for support mechanisms that empower victims to come forward.