Smokey Robinson Sued for $50 Million After Former Housekeepers Accuse Motown Star of Sexual Assault and Abuse.
Music legend Smokey Robinson, 85, is facing serious legal trouble after four former housekeepers filed a lawsuit accusing him of years of sexual assault, harassment, and labor violations. The suit, seeking $50 million in damages, was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 6.
The plaintiffs identified in court documents only as Jane Does 1 through 4 – claim Robinson’s misconduct spanned nearly two decades, from 2007 to 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged assaults took place at Robinson’s homes in Chatsworth, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Bell Canyon, California.
Allegations of Assault, False Imprisonment, and a Hostile Workplace
The women accuse Robinson, 85, of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and gender violence. They also allege he and his wife, Frances Robinson, created a hostile work environment. The lawsuit details not only sexual assault but also claims the women were paid below minimum wage and endured verbal abuse.
Attorneys representing the housekeepers describe the singer as a “serial rapist” who exploited his fame and their vulnerable economic situations.
The plaintiffs say they kept quiet for years out of fear – fear of retaliation, of being publicly shamed, and of jeopardizing their immigration status.
Frances Robinson Also Named in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit doesn’t only target the Motown star. Frances Robinson, his wife, is accused of being aware of the alleged abuse and failing to intervene.
The plaintiffs allege she not only ignored their complaints but also verbally abused them, sometimes using racial slurs.
Smokey Robinson with his wife Frances (@smokeyrobinson Instagram)
Smokey Robinson, born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, became a cornerstone of American music as a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He rose to fame in the late 1950s as the lead singer of The Miracles, one of the first successful groups signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown Records.
Known for his smooth tenor voice and poetic lyrics, Robinson created timeless hits like Shop Around, The Tracks of My Tears, and You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me.
He also wrote and produced chart-topping songs for other Motown artists, including My Girl for The Temptations and My Guy for Mary Wells.
Over his decades-long career, Robinson earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the National Medal of Arts, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
While his musical contributions are widely celebrated, Smokey Robinson now faces serious allegations that could have lasting effects on both his personal life and his public legacy.
Attorney John Harris, representing the four former housekeepers suing Smokey Robinson, made this statement during a press conference on May 6, 2025.
“Obviously no amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to. But given the gravity of Mr. Robinson’s despicable and reprehensible misconduct, this amount is clearly warranted.”
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