Smokey Robinson Accused of Sexual Abuse by Four Former Workers
- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Motown legend Smokey Robinson is facing a lawsuit in Los Angeles County, California, alleging sexual assault and harassment by four former housekeepers.
- The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, also names Robinson's wife, Frances, an interior designer and businesswoman, as a defendant.The women allege the assaults occurred primarily at the couple's Chatsworth, California,...
- John Harris, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, stated that "no amount can compensate for these women for what Mr.
Smokey Robinson Faces Sexual assault Allegations in Lawsuit Filed by Former Housekeepers
Table of Contents
- Smokey Robinson Faces Sexual assault Allegations in Lawsuit Filed by Former Housekeepers
- Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Allegations: Your Questions answered
- What is Smokey Robinson being accused of?
- Who is named in the lawsuit?
- Where did the alleged incidents occur?
- what are the specific allegations against Smokey Robinson?
- What is the legal basis for the lawsuit?
- What is the attorney John Harris saying about the case?
- How has smokey Robinson responded to the allegations?
- Why did the housekeepers delay reporting the alleged incidents?
- Are there any resources available for sexual assault survivors?
- What are the key differences in the Jane Does’ allegations?
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Motown legend Smokey Robinson is facing a lawsuit in Los Angeles County, California, alleging sexual assault and harassment by four former housekeepers. The women, who remain anonymous, accuse the singer, composer, and producer of repeated sexual battery, assault, and creating a opposed work environment. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, also names Robinson’s wife, Frances, an interior designer and businesswoman, as a defendant.The women allege the assaults occurred primarily at the couple’s Chatsworth, California, home over several years. According to the suit, the alleged actions by Robinson were “intentional, free, and malicious, with a conscious contempt” for the women’s “rights, intimacy, and feelings.”
Legal Response and Robinson’s reaction
John Harris, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, stated that “no amount can compensate for these women for what Mr. Robinson made them pass.” He added that, based on the facts presented, the requested amount is justified.
According to the *Daily Mail*, Robinson said Wednesday, “I am dismayed. I can’t talk about this now,” when contacted for comment.
Specific Allegations by the Plaintiffs
each of the four women, identified as Jane Doe 1 through Jane Doe 4 in the lawsuit, detailed specific instances of alleged abuse:
- Jane Doe 1: Claims she began working for the Robinsons in January 2023 and experienced the first instance of harassment in March 2023. She alleges repeated sexual aggressions and harassment, further claiming that Frances Robinson was aware of the behavior but did not take corrective action. She alleges at least seven episodes of rape before leaving her job in February 2024.
- Jane Doe 2: Alleges approximately 23 instances of harassment and aggression between 2016 and 2020,occurring in areas without surveillance cameras,such as the laundry room and garage. She had worked for the Robinsons since 2014 and states she was eventually “forced to give up” her job.
- Jane Doe 3: Worked for the couple between 2012 and 2024. She alleges Smokey Robinson raped her on at least 20 occasions, forcing her to cover her face during the assaults. She also claims she was forced to resign.
- Jane Doe 4: The longest-tenured employee, worked for the robinsons from 2006 to 2024 as a cook, hairdresser, and personal assistant to Frances Robinson. She alleges a series of abuses begining in 2007, occurring at both the couple’s California home and their residence in Las Vegas, ultimately leading to her resignation.
Reasons for Delay in Reporting
The four women stated they delayed reporting the alleged incidents for years due to fear of losing their jobs, damage to their careers, and public humiliation.
Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, resources are available:
- In the U.S.: The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE. Offers 24/7 support in English and Spanish. online resources are available at rainn.org.
Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault Allegations: Your Questions answered
What is Smokey Robinson being accused of?
Smokey Robinson, the legendary Motown singer, songwriter, and producer, is facing a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and harassment.Four former housekeepers have filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County, California, accusing Robinson of repeated sexual battery, assault, and creating a unfriendly work habitat. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages.
Who is named in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit names Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, as defendants. Frances Robinson,an interior designer and businesswoman,is also accused of being involved.
Where did the alleged incidents occur?
The alleged incidents primarily occurred at the Robinsons’ home in Chatsworth, California. Some allegations also mention incidents at their Las Vegas residence.
what are the specific allegations against Smokey Robinson?
Each of the four anonymous housekeepers, identified as jane Doe 1 through Jane Doe 4, has detailed specific instances of alleged abuse:
Jane Doe 1: Claims she began working for the Robinsons in January 2023 and experienced the first instance of harassment in March 2023.She alleges repeated sexual aggressions and harassment, further claiming that Frances Robinson was aware of the behavior but did not take corrective action.She alleges at least seven episodes of rape before leaving her job in February 2024.
Jane Doe 2: Alleges approximately 23 instances of harassment and aggression between 2016 and 2020, occurring in areas without surveillance cameras, such as the laundry room and garage. She had worked for the Robinsons as 2014 and states she was eventually “forced to give up” her job.
Jane Doe 3: Worked for the couple between 2012 and 2024. She alleges Smokey Robinson raped her on at least 20 occasions, forcing her to cover her face during the assaults. She also claims she was forced to resign.
Jane Doe 4: The longest-tenured employee, worked for the Robinsons from 2006 to 2024 as a cook, hairdresser, and personal assistant to Frances Robinson. She alleges a series of abuses beginning in 2007, occurring at both the couple’s California home and their residence in las Vegas, ultimately leading to her resignation.
What is the legal basis for the lawsuit?
The lawsuit alleges sexual assault, harassment, and the creation of a hostile work environment. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for the harm they allegedly suffered. The specific legal claims would be detailed in the lawsuit itself.
What is the attorney John Harris saying about the case?
John Harris, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, stated that “no amount can compensate for these women for what Mr. Robinson made them pass.” He also stated that, based on the facts presented, the requested amount of $50 million in damages is justified.
How has smokey Robinson responded to the allegations?
According to the Daily mail, Smokey Robinson said, “I am dismayed. I can’t talk about this now,” when contacted for comment.
Why did the housekeepers delay reporting the alleged incidents?
The four women stated they delayed reporting the alleged incidents for years due to fear of losing their jobs, damaging their careers, and experiencing public humiliation.
Are there any resources available for sexual assault survivors?
Yes, resources are available for sexual assault survivors.In the U.S., The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE. It offers 24/7 support in English and Spanish. Online resources are available at rainn.org.
What are the key differences in the Jane Does’ allegations?
Here’s a summary of the key allegations made by each of the four women:
| Jane Doe | Years of Employment | Allegations | Key Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Doe 1 | January 2023 – February 2024 | Sexual aggressions, harassment, 7 episodes of rape. | Chatsworth,CA |
| Jane Doe 2 | 2014 – Forced to Quit | 23 instances of harassment and aggression | Laundry room,garage at Chatsworth,CA |
| Jane Doe 3 | 2012-2024 | Rape on at least 20 occasions | Chatsworth,CA |
| Jane Doe 4 | 2006-2024 | series of abuses | Chatsworth,CA and Las Vegas |