Smokey Robinson sued for sexual assault and false imprisonment by former employees
Four former employees are suing Smokey Robinson for sexual assault, battery, and false imprisonment. The women, who are filing anonymously as Jane Does, are seeking minimum damages of $50 million.
The suit was filed against Robinson and his wife, Frances, in Los Angeles on Tuesday, and details dozens of incidents of rape and sexual assault. All four women worked as housekeepers for the couple at their California residence, with the alleged assaults taking place between 2007 and 2024.
According to Variety, which reviewed the lawsuit, the first woman was employed for 13 months, beginning in January 2023, and resigned due to repeated assault and harassment. She claims that on seven occasions when his wife was at the nail salon, Robinson would call her into his bedroom, lock the door, and assault her.
The second Doe worked for the Robinsons from May 2014 until February of 2020 and alleges that the assaults began in 2016. According to the filing, Robinson would instruct her over text to meet him on parts of the property where there were no CCTV cameras and would “immediately grab her and begin to penetrate her vagina with his fingers, causing her excruciating pain, and then would proceed to rape her.”
The third plaintiff worked for the couple between 2012 and 2024 and alleges a similar pattern as the first Doe, citing 20 incidents of rape. The fourth worked as Frances Robinson’s personal assistant and chef for nearly 18 years between 2006 and 2024, and says Smokey Robinson first assaulted her in 2007 during a trip to his Las Vegas home.
All four women stated that they did not take action against the couple over fears for their livelihood, as well as familial reprisal and embarrassment. Some were also concerned that bringing a legal case might impact their immigration status.
Robinson is yet to respond to the legal filings.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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