Smokey Robinson Faces Sexual Misconduct and False Imprisonment Allegations in Lawsuit
Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson is facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct and false imprisonment in a lawsuit filed by four anonymous former employees. The lawsuit, which seeks $50 million in damages, was revealed in documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The accusations detail alleged incidents of harassment and assault spanning from 2006 to 2024, implicating both Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson.
The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, Jane Doe 3, and Jane Doe 4, claim they were subjected to a hostile work environment and repeated sexual assaults during their employment at Robinson’s Chatsworth home. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of alleged abuse of power and exploitation of vulnerable employees.
Frances Robinson, married to Smokey for 25 years, is accused of contributing to the hostile work environment by failing to address her husband’s alleged misconduct. The lawsuit claims she was aware of Robinson’s prior acts of sexual misconduct, citing alleged settlements with other women who experienced similar assaults. The plaintiffs contend that Frances Robinson did not take appropriate corrective action, thereby enabling and perpetuating the alleged abuse.
Representatives for Smokey Robinson have not yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit provides specific details of the alleged assaults and harassment experienced by each of the four plaintiffs:
Jane Doe 1 (JD1) worked for Smokey Robinson from January 2023 to February 2024. She claims she was forced to resign due to repeated sexual assaults and harassment. JD1 alleges that Robinson sexually assaulted her at least seven times during her employment. According to the lawsuit, JD1 feared reporting the incidents due to concerns about losing her job, familial repercussions, public embarrassment, potential impact on her immigration status, and intimidation stemming from Robinson’s celebrity status and connections.
JD1 describes a disturbing pattern of behavior, alleging that Robinson would summon her to his "blue bedroom," lock the door, and prepare for the assault by placing a white towel on the bed while wearing only his underwear. This alleged "ritual" was reportedly repeated against each of the four accusers. JD1 claims she pleaded with Robinson to stop, reminding him of his marriage, but he allegedly ignored her pleas. In addition to the sexual assaults, JD1 alleges that Robinson and his wife failed to pay minimum wage or overtime wages and did not provide required rest or lunch breaks.
Jane Doe 2 (JD2) alleges that the sexual assaults began in 2016. She claims Robinson would send text messages instructing her to meet him in areas of the Chatsworth home lacking closed-circuit cameras. Upon arrival, she alleges that Robinson would rape her. JD2 claims that Robinson assaulted her at least 23 times and threatened that if she refused his advances, he would instruct Frances Robinson to be "mean" to her.
Jane Doe 3 (JD3) alleges that Robinson repeatedly raped her throughout most of her employment, which spanned from February 2012 to April 2024, when she was allegedly forced to resign. She claims Robinson raped her at least 20 times. On one occasion, when she resisted his advances, Robinson allegedly offered her $500 to perform oral sex on him, an offer she refused.
Jane Doe 4 (JD4) began working for the Robinsons in October 2006 as a housekeeper, personal assistant to Frances Robinson, cook, and hairdresser. She claims Robinson first sexually assaulted her the following year at his Las Vegas home. JD4 also alleges that Frances Robinson perpetuated a hostile work environment by regularly screaming at her and using ethnically pejorative language.
Legal Claims and Damages Sought
The plaintiffs claim they have suffered severe harm and humiliation as a result of Smokey Robinson’s alleged conduct. In addition to sexual battery and assault, the four women are suing for negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, gender violence, and multiple labor code violations.
The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages to compensate the plaintiffs for the alleged trauma, emotional distress, lost wages, and other damages they have suffered. The allegations raise serious questions about Robinson’s behavior and the work environment he allegedly fostered. As the case proceeds, further details are likely to emerge, and the legal process will determine the validity of the claims and the potential consequences for Robinson and his wife. The accusations have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond, prompting discussions about accountability and the protection of vulnerable workers. The lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power and the importance of creating safe and respectful workplaces.
