Smokey Robinson Faces $50M Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Four former housekeepers have filed a $50 million civil lawsuit against Motown legend and Las Vegas star Smokey Robinson. 

Lawsuit Alleges 20 Years of Abuse by Famed Singer and His Wife

The 85-year-old singer stands accused of repeated sexual abuse spanning almost 20 years. The lawsuit claims Robinson committed rape, sexual battery, and false imprisonment. These alleged incidents took place in Robinson’s homes in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Ventura County, California.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court also includes Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson. The plaintiffs, known as Jane Does 1 through 4, say they suffered ongoing mistreatment that included unpaid wages, no breaks, and verbal abuse, reported The Guardian. The lawsuit claims Frances Robinson made the workplace hostile and did not stop her husband’s alleged bad behavior, even though she knew about his past actions.

All four women worked as housekeepers for the Robinsons at different times from 2006 to 2024. They claim the singer took advantage of his fame and their weak positions, including some being undocumented immigrants, to keep them quiet. The plaintiffs, all Hispanic women, say they got paid less than minimum wage for tough 10-hour shifts and felt pressure not to speak up.

Lawsuit Alleges Singer Set Up Isolated Rooms to Assault Housekeepers 

The complaint describes in graphic detail how Robinson attacked the women in secluded parts of his homes, such as bedrooms, a laundry room, and a garage. These attacks followed a consistent pattern, with Robinson setting up the room in advance and taking steps to avoid leaving physical proof. One of the plaintiffs states the abuse started soon after she began working for the couple in Chatsworth at the beginning of 2023. She claims Robinson assaulted her on several weekends when his wife was not at home.

At a press conference in Los Angeles, lawyer John Harris said his clients did not speak up for years because they feared payback and needed the money. Harris stated that the women had little to no protection or assistance, describing them as isolated, underpaid, and afraid.

Herbert Hayden, who also represents the women, said Frances Robinson did not just do nothing, but made things worse by yelling at them and making threats. The lawyers said no one has filed criminal charges yet, and they did not say if their clients plan to do so. Smokey Robinson, a giant in 20th-century soul music, still tours and performed in Las Vegas this April. He has not publicly addressed the claims.