Singer Smokey Robinson is accused of sexual battery, assault and creating a hostile work environment in lawsuit filed by lawyers representing four of his former housekeepers on Tuesday.
Four women who formerly worked as housekeepers for legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson have filed a lawsuit accusing the 85-year-old artist of sexually assaulting them repeatedly over several years.
Filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, the suit identifies the plaintiffs only as Jane Does 1 through 4. The women allege that while employed cleaning Robinson’s residences in Los Angeles, Ventura County, and Las Vegas, he raped them “dozens of times.” The lawsuit claims that Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, “turned a blind eye and berated” the women instead of intervening.
“All the while,” the suit states, “Mr. Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, failed to prevent her husband from assaulting the women despite knowing about his sexual misconduct.”
According to the filing, three of the women feared coming forward earlier due to their immigration status. The lawsuit also accuses Smokey and Frances Robinson of false imprisonment, creating a hostile work environment, and violating labor laws, including failure to pay minimum wage.
Mr. Robinson’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.