Former female employees have filed a lawsuit today in a Los Angeles court against Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances, alleging sexual battery, assault, and false imprisonment. The women are seeking a trial with general damages of no less than $50 million.
First Doe, who worked for Robinson from January 2023 through February 2024, claims that the 85-year-old man assaulted her seven times, describing one incident in which he locked her in his bedroom and sexually harassed her after rushing home from taking his wife to the nail salon.
The second Doe worked for Robinson from May 2014 until Feb. 2020 and was assaulted on at least 23 occasions, describing one incident of him texting her to meet her in different areas of the residence, and once there, he forcefully penetrated her vagina with his fingers before raping her and ejaculating on her face.
The third Doe, who worked for the Motown singer from Feb. 2012 until April 2024, was repeatedly raped at least 20 times, while the fourth Doe, who worked as Frances’ personal assistant and chef from Oct. 2006 through April 2024, was sexually assaulted by Robinson in 2007 at his Las Vegas home.
All four victims accuse Robinson’s wife of fostering a hostile work environment through verbal abuse and failing to stop the misconduct, even though he was aware that he had resolved cases involving similar assaults from other women.
All victims state that they did not take action against Robinson for fear of losing their livelihood, familial reprisal, or embarrassment, and some were fearful it could affect their immigration status.