Smokey Robinson performs onstage throughout the sixty fifth GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Area on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Picture by Kevin Winter/Getty Photos for The Recording Academy )
Kevin Winter/The Recording Academy/Getty Photos
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Kevin Winter/The Recording Academy/Getty Photos
4 ladies are accusing R&B legend Smokey Robinson of sexual battery, rape and different offenses in a criticism for damages filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court docket Tuesday.
The criticism says the 4, unnamed ladies have been housekeepers of the Robinsons on the time of the alleged misconduct. Robinson’s spouse Frances Robinson can also be named.
The criticism alleges that Jane Doe 1, who was a housekeeper for the Robinsons from January 2023 to February 2024, was pressured to resign resulting from Smokey Robinson’s “repeated sexual assaults and sexual harassment in opposition to her.” The opposite ladies are additionally alleging a number of sexual assaults, stretching again to at the very least 2007.
The plaintiffs are represented by the legislation agency Harris & Hayden. The criticism says the ladies are additionally accusing the Robinsons of false imprisonment, emotional misery and gender violence, in addition to unlawful working circumstances.
NPR has not but obtained a response from Robinson’s representatives.
At a press convention Tuesday afternoon, lawyer John Harris referred to as Smokey Robinson a “serial assaulter” and mentioned the ladies stored quiet concerning the alleged misconduct out of concern, as a result of they have been low-wage staff “residing paycheck to paycheck” and have been “intimidated” by Robinson’s movie star. He additionally mentioned the ladies have been threatened, however didn’t specify the character of the threats. The ladies are additionally being represented by Herbert Hayden.
The ladies’s attorneys are searching for a complete of $50 million in damages. They are saying the ladies haven’t but filed police experiences.
As the previous frontman of The Miracles, Robinson, who’s 85, is liable for a few of Motown’s greatest hits together with “The Tears of a Clown” and “I Second That Emotion.” Robinson ultimately turned Motown Data’ vp.
Jennifer Vanasco edited this story.