Smokey Robinson accused by former housekeepers of sexual assault
STORY: :: File
Legendary Motown musician Smokey Robinson faces allegations of sexual assault-
-from housekeepers who sued him on Tuesday for $50 million.
His wife, Frances is also accused of covering up the abuse and verbally abusing employees with racial slurs.
Robinson's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Reuters could not verify the claims.
The plaintiffs are four Hispanic women using Jane Doe pseudonyms in the lawsuit.
They accused 85-year-old Robinson of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence at his Los Angeles home from 2007 to 2024.
Three of them appeared wearing face masks at a Los Angeles press conference, while the fourth joined remotely.
John Harris is an attorney at Harris & Hayden law firm.
"These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences of being assaulted by Mr. Smokey Robinson, and stand up for their rights, as well as the rights of other women."
Harris explained the delay in reporting, emphasizing the women's financial and emotional struggles.
"The obvious question that one will ask, and I suspect most will, why didn't they report Robinson's criminal misconduct to law enforcement or go public before now? As I said before, these women were all low, low wage earners living from paycheck to paycheck. They all feared missing a payday and not being able to pay their rent or buy food for their families. Also, Smokey's Robinson celebrity status intimidated them in or made them feel powerless."
Jane Doe 1 accused Robinson of sexually assaulting her at least seven times, with the last incident on February 17, 2024, two days before his 84th birthday.
The other plaintiffs made similar claims, with Jane Does 2 and 3 alleging at least 20 assaults each.
Their lawyers said they welcome a criminal investigation but haven't heard from prosecutors.
Representatives of Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
:: File
Robinson rose to fame in the 1960s as the singer of 'Tears of a Clown' and a key figure in Motown's rise.
He recorded over 30 hits solo and with The Miracles, a group of his Detroit schoolmates.
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