Four women identified as housekeepers who worked for their wife at Smokey Robinson and Chatsworth’s home, filed a lawsuit Tuesday, denounced Motown legends of assault and sexual assault.
In Los Angeles Superior Court, the 85-year-old singer, songwriter, producer, record label executive and wife Francis Robinson filed a lawsuit comparing the plaintiffs to Jane Doo1, 2, 3, 4 and Jane Doo1, 2, 3, 4, who worked for the Robinsons House in Chatsworth for many years. The complaints include allegations of “repeated sexual assault and sexual harassment” of four women in their residences and elsewhere.
The Jane Doe worked as a hairdresser with Cook, a personal assistant to Frances Robinson, according to the 27-page lawsuit.
The lawsuit also argues for false incarceration, gender violence and the creation of a hostile work environment.
The first sexual assault in a lawsuit, including Jane Doe No. 4, occurred in 2007 when she took Robinson to her Las Vegas home. The sexual assault occurred at home and elsewhere, the lawsuit states.
Jane Doh1 worked for the Robinsons from March 2023 to February 2024. Jane Doe 2 worked for a couple from May 2014 until he resigned in February 2020. JaneDoe3 worked for the Robinsons from February 2012 to April 2024.
Each plaintiff said Robinson condemned multiple sexual assaults in the lawsuit and feared reporting the claim to authorities due to fear of losing his livelihood. According to the complaint, some plaintiffs also feared “potential side effects” on the immigration situation.
The lawsuit alleges that Robinson repeatedly made “brutal sexual advances” including Jane Doe No. 2 through her employment.
“When they were home alone, he would send a message to her and ask her to meet him in the area of their Chatsworth residence where no closed circuit cameras were present,” according to the lawsuit. “He then summons her to the laundry room or garage. There was no camera there.”
The lawsuit alleges that Francis Robinson knew of the misconduct but did not prevent it. She is also accused of “aggressive and hostile conduct and language” against the plaintiff, according to the complaint.
“Francis Robinson was unable to take appropriate corrective action to prevent Defendant Robinson’s deviant misconduct,” the lawsuit said.
The NBCLA has reached out to Robinson’s representatives for a statement and is awaiting a response that will be added to this article.
The lawsuit seeks general damages of a minimum of $50 million, along with unspecified punitive damages.
Born and raised in Detroit, Robinson was in high school when he founded the vocal group for Miracles and formed a lasting career bond and friendship with mentor Berry Gordy. Miracles’ “Shop Around” became the first No. 1 hit on the acclaimed Motown Records label’s R&B singles chart. The group flourished for the next 20 years with songs written by Robinson, including “You’re Really Holding Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Go-Go,” “More Love,” and “Tears of a Clown.”
Robinson quickly became vice president of Motown Records, but created hits for other greats in the Motown Sound, including Temptation, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and Marvin Gay.
Robinson embarked on a solo career that produced hits such as “Just To To He See Her”, “Circect Storm”, “Cruisin'” and “Being with.”
Robinson released a new album on April 25th entitled “What the World Needs Now.”
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