Written by Queenie

Motown legend Smokey Robinson, 85, is facing a $50 million lawsuit filed on May 6, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court by four former housekeepers. The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Does 1 through 4, allege that Robinson sexually assaulted them over a span of nearly two decades, from 2007 to 2024. The lawsuit includes claims of sexual battery, false imprisonment, gender violence, and labor violations. Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, is also named in the suit for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and failing to prevent the alleged abuse. 

The women, all Hispanic and employed as housekeepers in the Robinsons’ residences in California and Las Vegas, claim they were subjected to repeated sexual assaults by Robinson. One plaintiff alleges over 20 incidents of rape during her employment, while another cites at least 23 assaults. The lawsuit describes a pattern where Robinson would lure the women into rooms without surveillance to commit the assaults. Frances Robinson is accused of using ethnically derogatory language and contributing to a hostile work environment. 

The plaintiffs’ attorneys, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, held a press conference where they emphasized the power imbalance and vulnerability of the accusers, who were low-wage workers. They cited fear of retaliation, public shame, and potential immigration consequences as reasons for not reporting the incidents earlier. 

Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, has strongly denied the allegations, labeling them as “vile” and “false.” He described the lawsuit as an extortion attempt and stated that they would seek dismissal of the case. Frost criticized the plaintiffs’ legal team for creating a media spectacle and urged the public to withhold judgment until all facts emerge. 

As of now, no criminal charges or police reports have been filed against Robinson. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has not received a case from law enforcement, and the LAPD has made no comment. 

Robinson, a Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has not publicly responded to the lawsuit yet. The case is ongoing, and further developments are awaited.