Smokey Robinson Hit With Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Smokey Robinson at the Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Ceremony at the Library of Congress, Dec. 4, 2021. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress under CC0 1.0.
For decades, Smokey Robinson has been a symbol of American soul music — a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a former Motown Records executive, and the smooth voice behind classics like "The Tracks of My Tears." But now, at age 85, Robinson finds himself at the center of a legal storm involving serious allegations that have shaken fans and raised complex questions about power, silence, and justice.
The Lawsuit
On May 6, 2025, four women filed a civil lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging sexual battery, gender violence, and false imprisonment against Robinson. All four plaintiffs, listed anonymously as Jane Does 1 through 4, were employed by the singer as housekeepers or personal staff over the course of nearly two decades.
The complaint outlines disturbing accusations of repeated sexual assaults allegedly occurring at Robinson's residences in Chatsworth and Bell Canyon, California, and occasionally in Las Vegas. According to the filings, the women claim they endured years of harassment and abuse, often in private areas of Robinson's home — locations without security cameras — and say they remained silent due to fears of job loss, retaliation, and immigration-related consequences.
The plaintiffs are seeking $50 million in damages, citing the emotional and physical trauma they claim to have suffered.
Allegations Against Frances Robinson
Also named in the lawsuit is Frances Robinson, Smokey's wife. The suit alleges that Frances not only ignored warnings and prior settlements related to similar allegations, but also created a hostile work environment. Plaintiffs say she used racially derogatory language and threatened to make life difficult for employees who resisted her husband's alleged advances.
One plaintiff claims that when she rejected Smokey's attempts, he allegedly said Frances would be "mean" to her as punishment, according to NBC News.
A Pattern or a Conspiracy?
Each woman's story is graphic and, in some ways, eerily similar. They describe what they claim were repeated assaults involving specific details — like Robinson placing a towel on the bed before allegedly forcing himself on them. One woman said she was assaulted at least 20 times over a 12-year span. Another said she was raped 23 times between 2014 and 2020, often in areas like the laundry room and garage — spaces devoid of surveillance.
Robinson's legal team strongly denies the allegations. His attorney, Christopher Frost, described the lawsuit as "an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon," according to PEOPLE.
Frost also suggested the plaintiffs' stories were riddled with timeline issues and inconsistencies, vowing to challenge them in court.
In his statement reported by PEOPLE, Frost urged, "We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light and all the actual facts of the case unfold. We will be asking the Court to dismiss the lawsuit."
No Criminal Charges Filed — Yet
So far, the case remains a civil matter. No criminal charges have been filed, and law enforcement agencies have not confirmed an active investigation. According to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, the case is not under review because law enforcement has not presented it for consideration.
A Press Conference and a Promise
At a May 6 press conference, three of the four plaintiffs appeared wearing masks to protect their identities. The fourth joined remotely. Attorney John Harris spoke on their behalf, saying they "were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage. As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," according to NBC News.
Harris added that many of the women worked at the Robinson household during overlapping periods but did not confide in each other due to embarrassment and fear.
A Legacy Under Fire
Robinson's musical legacy is monumental. He's credited with helping define the Motown sound and wrote or co-wrote more than 4,000 songs. But this lawsuit has placed his career in a shadowy light, raising painful questions about what may have been happening behind the scenes of a celebrated life.
While Robinson's attorneys have expressed confidence that the lawsuit will be dismissed, the coming months are likely to bring more scrutiny, testimony, and public reaction. If more information emerges — from either side — the story could shift in any direction.
References: Smokey Robinson Accused of Alleged Rape, Sexual Assault in New Lawsuit Filed by Four Women | Motown Legend Smokey Robinson Is Accused of Sexual Assault by 4 Housekeepers in Lawsuit | Smokey Robinson Accused of Sexual Assault by Four Women | Former Housekeepers Accuse Smokey Robinson of Rape, Sexual Battery
