Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual abuse by 4 of his former housekeepers in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom.
The ladies allege he repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them whereas they labored for him at his house in Chatsworth, Calif.
The swimsuit, considered by International Information, seeks not less than US$50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the ladies say occurred between 2006 and 2024, and labour violations, together with a hostile work atmosphere, illegally lengthy hours and lack of pay.
“Clearly, no quantity can compensate these ladies for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to,” the ladies’s lawyer, John Harris, mentioned at a information convention on Tuesday.
The 4 ladies every say Robinson would wait till he was alone with them in his Los Angeles house, then sexually assault and rape them.
“We imagine that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and should be stopped,” Harris mentioned.
Every girl mentioned they finally give up over the assaults, although in some instances it took a number of years. They mentioned they feared coming ahead over fears of retaliation, public disgrace and doable results on their immigration standing.
“Having to inform their husband and youngsters of those despicable actions left them full of disgrace and embarrassment,” Harris added. “So all through their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all 4 ladies remained silent.”
Three of the ladies appeared in particular person on the information convention in Los Angeles on Tuesday. They wore masks to guard their privateness and didn’t converse. All 4 ladies additionally withheld their authorized names within the court docket paperwork, the place they’re recognized as Jane Does.
Harris mentioned there was a “frequent thread” between all the ladies.
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They “had been Hispanic ladies employed as housekeepers incomes beneath minimal wage,” Harris mentioned. “As low-wage staff in susceptible positions, they lacked the sources and choices to guard themselves.”
He mentioned that as low-wage earners, additionally they all feared “lacking a payday, and never with the ability to afford hire or purchase meals for his or her households.”
The lawsuit additionally names Robinson’s spouse, Frances Gladney, as a defendant, alleging she enabled his behaviour regardless of understanding about previous sexual misconduct. It additionally blames her for the hostile work atmosphere, saying she berated them with language that included ethnic slurs.
(L-R) Frances Gladney and Smokey Robinson attend the 2024 Harold and Carole Pump Basis Gala at The Beverly Hilton on Aug. 16, 2024 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Tiffany Rose/Getty Photographs for Harold and Carole Pump Basis
A few of the plaintiffs labored for Robinson on the identical time, Harris revealed, however they had been too embarrassed to disclose the alleged assaults.
The swimsuit alleges that Jane Doe 1 mentioned she labored for the couple for a yr earlier than quitting in 2024 and was assaulted not less than seven instances. Jane Doe 1 mentioned the primary sexual assault occurred in March 2023 and the assaults continued till she resigned in February 2024. She labored on the weekends when the remainder of the employees was off and alleged that Robinson “would name her into his blue bed room, lock the door and escort their canine Shilo out of the room” earlier than sexually assaulting her, based on the swimsuit.
The swimsuit alleges that Robinson assaulted Jane Doe 2 not less than 23 instances from Could 2014 to February 2020. Within the swimsuit, Jane Doe 2 claimed that Robinson would textual content message her and ask her to fulfill in locations in his house with out safety cameras, just like the laundry room or storage, earlier than sexually assaulting her.
Jane Doe 3 alleges that Robinson assaulted her not less than 20 instances throughout the 12 years she labored for him, starting in 2012.
Jane Doe 4, who mentioned she additionally acted as Gladney’s private assistant, hairdresser and prepare dinner, labored for the couple from October 2006 till she resigned in April 2024. She cited comparable experiences throughout her 18 years working for the couple, however didn’t say how usually she was assaulted.
Herbert Hayden, one other lawyer representing the ladies, mentioned that whereas they really feel the assaults are worthy of felony investigation, the ladies haven’t filed police reviews, based mostly on the identical fears that stored them from coming ahead.
The swimsuit seeks damages based mostly on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and different allegations.
“Clearly, no sum of money can compensate these ladies for what Mr. Robinson put them via,” Harris mentioned. However he mentioned the $50 million was warranted “based mostly on the gravity of Mr. Robinson’s despicable and reprehensible misconduct.”
Robinson and his representatives haven’t publicly commented on the case. He’s at present on tour and scheduled to carry out on Friday in Mississippi.
Robinson, a member of each the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame and the Songwriters Corridor of Fame, was among the many greatest hitmakers of the Nineteen Sixties — each along with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs together with Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears.
He was a central a part of the Motown Information music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for different artists.
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In case you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
— With information from The Related Press
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