Motown legend Smokey Robinson faces a $50 million lawsuit from four former housekeepers claiming he sexually assaulted them over nearly two decades in his California home, with allegations including a disturbing “ritual” before attacks.
Key Takeaways
- Four Hispanic housekeepers filed a lawsuit against Smokey Robinson alleging sexual assault and rape between 2007 and 2024, seeking at least $50 million in damages
- The alleged assaults occurred at Robinson’s Chatsworth, California home, with one woman claiming 23 incidents between 2014 and 2020
- Robinson’s wife, Frances, is accused of enabling his behavior and creating a hostile work environment
- The women, who earned below minimum wage, did not file police reports due to fears of retaliation, immigration status concerns, and public shame
- The lawsuit includes claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence against the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee
Serious Allegations Against a Music Icon
The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court details disturbing accusations against 84-year-old Smokey Robinson, the beloved Motown pioneer known for his work with The Miracles and successful solo career. According to court documents, four women employed as housekeepers at Robinson’s Chatsworth residence claim they were sexually assaulted on multiple occasions spanning from 2007 to 2024. The plaintiffs, identified only as Jane Does to protect their privacy, allege Robinson established a pattern of predatory behavior that left them traumatized and fearful of speaking out.
The woman’s attorney makes serious accusations against the music legend, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. “We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped,” said John Harris, attorney for the plaintiffs.
Four former housekeepers for Motown legend Smokey Robinson have accused him of sexual assault, alleging in a lawsuit that he repeatedly abused some of them for years. https://t.co/tCav6JJkjZ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 6, 2025
Disturbing Pattern of Behavior
The lawsuit describes a specific “ritual” that Robinson allegedly performed before assaults, involving leaving his bathroom naked and placing a towel on the bed. One woman claims she endured 23 separate incidents between 2014 and 2020. The court documents state the women were particularly vulnerable due to their employment situation, as they were “Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage,” according to attorney John Harris.
“Having to tell their husband and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment,” said John Harris, attorney for the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit also implicates Frances Robinson, Smokey’s wife, for allegedly enabling his behavior and creating a hostile work environment. This aspect of the case raises questions about accountability for those who may have knowledge of or facilitate such misconduct. The women claim they remained silent for years due to legitimate fears of retaliation, concerns about immigration status, and the potential for public humiliation if they came forward against such a celebrated cultural figure.
Singer Smokey Robinson is being accused of sexual battery, assault and creating a hostile work environment in a lawsuit filed Tuesday by lawyers representing four of his former housekeepers. https://t.co/HR3m3Wexad
— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2025
Legal and Cultural Implications
The $50 million lawsuit includes claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence. The substantial damages sought reflect both the severity of the allegations and the long-term impact on the women’s lives. “No amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson put them through,” stated John Harris, the plaintiffs’ attorney, adding that “this amount is clearly warranted.”
These allegations expose a troubling reality of power dynamics between employers and domestic workers, particularly when immigration status and economic vulnerability are factors. The case highlights how wealthy individuals can potentially exploit these imbalances, creating environments where victims feel they have no recourse. The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact how the entertainment industry addresses issues of workplace safety and accountability, particularly for low-wage workers in private residential settings who have historically had fewer protections than those in corporate environments.
As this case proceeds through the legal system, it will test whether celebrity status and cultural contributions shield individuals from consequences for alleged misconduct, or if our justice system can hold even beloved cultural icons accountable when serious allegations arise. The stark contrast between Robinson’s public persona as a musical pioneer and the disturbing private behavior described in the lawsuit creates a complex backdrop for what promises to be a closely watched legal battle.
