In a shocking development, Motown icon Smokey Robinson is facing a lawsuit filed by four anonymous women who are seeking $50 million (£37 million) in damages for alleged sexual assault. The complaint, lodged in a Los Angeles superior court, accuses the 85-year-old performer of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, gender violence, and various labor law violations, including failure to pay minimum wage and providing appropriate breaks.
The lawsuit also implicates Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, alleging that she fostered a toxic work environment and used "ethnically pejorative words" towards the women. As of now, representatives for the Robinson family have not commented on the lawsuit, and the allegations remain unverified.
Robinson's storied career saw him produce legendary hits for Motown, including "My Girl" and "Tracks of My Tears". He has been celebrated with multiple entries into prestigious music halls of fame and has had a hand in writing over 4,000 songs. The lawsuit, however, presents a stark contrast to his acclaimed public persona.
The women involved, identified as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, claim that Robinson used his celebrity status to manipulate and intimidate them into silence. Their attorney, John Harris, remarked that the women, being Hispanic and in low-wage positions, found it difficult to oppose his alleged misconduct due to their vulnerable circumstances. Three plaintiffs are former housekeepers, while one served as Robinson's personal assistant, cook, and hairdresser.
The allegations detail disturbing incidents spanning from 2006, where the plaintiffs claim Robinson would summon them to secluded areas of his properties in Chatsworth, Bell Canyon, and Las Vegas, often while his wife was away. Reports suggest that he would emerge unexpectedly and compel them to engage in sexual acts under threats of force and physical barriers blocking their escape.
Additionally, all four women claim significant abuse of labor laws, stating they regularly worked ten hours a day, six days a week, without receiving proper pay or compensatory breaks. They assert that a toxic environment led them to resign from their positions, citing the sexual misconduct and its ramifications on their mental and physical well-being.
Currently, no police reports or criminal charges have been filed against Robinson, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, indicating that the allegations are not under law enforcement review. The Los Angeles police have also not provided a formal statement regarding the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also implicates Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, alleging that she fostered a toxic work environment and used "ethnically pejorative words" towards the women. As of now, representatives for the Robinson family have not commented on the lawsuit, and the allegations remain unverified.
Robinson's storied career saw him produce legendary hits for Motown, including "My Girl" and "Tracks of My Tears". He has been celebrated with multiple entries into prestigious music halls of fame and has had a hand in writing over 4,000 songs. The lawsuit, however, presents a stark contrast to his acclaimed public persona.
The women involved, identified as Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, claim that Robinson used his celebrity status to manipulate and intimidate them into silence. Their attorney, John Harris, remarked that the women, being Hispanic and in low-wage positions, found it difficult to oppose his alleged misconduct due to their vulnerable circumstances. Three plaintiffs are former housekeepers, while one served as Robinson's personal assistant, cook, and hairdresser.
The allegations detail disturbing incidents spanning from 2006, where the plaintiffs claim Robinson would summon them to secluded areas of his properties in Chatsworth, Bell Canyon, and Las Vegas, often while his wife was away. Reports suggest that he would emerge unexpectedly and compel them to engage in sexual acts under threats of force and physical barriers blocking their escape.
Additionally, all four women claim significant abuse of labor laws, stating they regularly worked ten hours a day, six days a week, without receiving proper pay or compensatory breaks. They assert that a toxic environment led them to resign from their positions, citing the sexual misconduct and its ramifications on their mental and physical well-being.
Currently, no police reports or criminal charges have been filed against Robinson, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, indicating that the allegations are not under law enforcement review. The Los Angeles police have also not provided a formal statement regarding the lawsuit.
