Photo Credit: Smokey Robinson by Dwight McCann / CC by 2.5
Motown singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson is being accused of sexual assault and rape, leading to a hostile work environment, in a lawsuit filed by four of his former housekeepers. All four women, listed anonymously as Jane Does, accuse Robinson of unwanted sexual behavior and abuse. His wife, Frances Gladney, is listed as a defendant alongside him in the $50 million lawsuit.
The 85-year-old Robinson is accused of sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, and gender violence at his Los Angeles home, beginning as early as 2007 and lasting until 2024. The four women also allege labor violations, claiming they were not paid properly before they quit their jobs.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, also names Robinson’s wife, Frances Gladney. It alleges that she screamed at the plaintiffs with “ethnically pejorative words and language.” Further, they claim Gladney covered up the ongoing abuse they suffered by her husband.
“Obviously, no amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to,” said attorney John Harris. “But given the gravity of Mr. Robinson’s despicable and reprehensible misconduct […] this amount is clearly warranted.”
Attorneys for the four plaintiffs said they would welcome a criminal investigation, but have not been contacted by prosecutors. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said the matter was not under review because law enforcement had not presented a case. Similarly, the Los Angeles police said they had not received a report on the matter.
The four plaintiffs say they did not come forward sooner due to fear they would lose their low-paying jobs, combined with Robinson’s celebrity. All four women are Hispanic and say that shame associated with sexual assault in their culture further contributed to their not reporting the issue sooner.
Robinson was instrumental in the rise of Motown during the 1960s. He is best known for his hit “Tears of a Clown,” as well as over 30 hits either as a solo performer or alongside The Miracles.
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Four Women File Lawsuit Accusing Smokey Robinson of Sexual Assault and Rape – Digital Music News
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