Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual abuse by 4 of his former housekeepers in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court docket.
The ladies allege he repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them whereas they labored for him at his house in Chatsworth, Calif.
The go well with, considered by World Information, seeks at the very least US$50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the ladies say occurred between 2006 and 2024, and labour violations, together with a hostile work surroundings, illegally lengthy hours and lack of pay.
“Clearly, no quantity can compensate these girls for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to,” the ladies’s lawyer, John Harris, mentioned at a information convention on Tuesday.
The 4 girls every say Robinson would wait till he was alone with them in his Los Angeles house, then sexually assault and rape them.
“We consider that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and should be stopped,” Harris mentioned.
Every lady mentioned they finally stop over the assaults, although in some circumstances it took a number of years. They mentioned they feared coming ahead over fears of retaliation, public disgrace and attainable results on their immigration standing.
“Having to inform their husband and youngsters of those despicable actions left them crammed with disgrace and embarrassment,” Harris added. “So all through their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all 4 girls remained silent.”
Three of the ladies appeared in particular person on the information convention in Los Angeles on Tuesday. They wore masks to guard their privateness and didn’t converse. All 4 girls additionally withheld their authorized names within the courtroom paperwork, the place they’re recognized as Jane Does.
Harris mentioned there was a “widespread thread” between all the girls.
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They “had been Hispanic girls employed as housekeepers incomes beneath minimal wage,” Harris mentioned. “As low-wage staff in susceptible positions, they lacked the sources and choices to guard themselves.”
He mentioned that as low-wage earners, additionally they all feared “lacking a payday, and never with the ability to afford lease or purchase meals for his or her households.”
The lawsuit additionally names Robinson’s spouse, Frances Gladney, as a defendant, alleging she enabled his behaviour regardless of realizing about previous sexual misconduct. It additionally blames her for the hostile work surroundings, saying she berated them with language that included ethnic slurs.
(L-R) Frances Gladney and Smokey Robinson attend the 2024 Harold and Carole Pump Basis Gala at The Beverly Hilton on Aug. 16, 2024 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Tiffany Rose/Getty Pictures for Harold and Carole Pump Basis
A number of the plaintiffs labored for Robinson on the identical time, Harris revealed, however they had been too embarrassed to disclose the alleged assaults.
The go well with alleges that Jane Doe 1 mentioned she labored for the couple for a 12 months earlier than quitting in 2024 and was assaulted at the very least seven occasions. Jane Doe 1 mentioned the primary sexual assault occurred in March 2023 and the assaults continued till she resigned in February 2024. She labored on the weekends when the remainder of the employees was off and alleged that Robinson “would name her into his blue bed room, lock the door and escort their canine Shilo out of the room” earlier than sexually assaulting her, in response to the go well with.
The go well with alleges that Robinson assaulted Jane Doe 2 at the very least 23 occasions from Could 2014 to February 2020. Within the go well with, Jane Doe 2 claimed that Robinson would textual content message her and ask her to fulfill in locations in his house with out safety cameras, just like the laundry room or storage, earlier than sexually assaulting her.
Jane Doe 3 alleges that Robinson assaulted her at the very least 20 occasions in the course of the 12 years she labored for him, starting in 2012.
Jane Doe 4, who mentioned she additionally acted as Gladney’s private assistant, hairdresser and prepare dinner, labored for the couple from October 2006 till she resigned in April 2024. She cited comparable experiences throughout her 18 years working for the couple, however didn’t say how usually she was assaulted.
Herbert Hayden, one other lawyer representing the ladies, mentioned that whereas they really feel the assaults are worthy of legal investigation, the ladies haven’t filed police stories, based mostly on the identical fears that saved them from coming ahead.
The go well with seeks damages based mostly on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and different allegations.
“Clearly, no sum of money can compensate these girls for what Mr. Robinson put them by means of,” Harris mentioned. However he mentioned the $50 million was warranted “based mostly on the gravity of Mr. Robinson’s despicable and reprehensible misconduct.”
Robinson and his representatives haven’t publicly commented on the case. He’s presently on tour and scheduled to carry out on Friday in Mississippi.
Robinson, a member of each the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame and the Songwriters Corridor of Fame, was among the many largest hitmakers of the Sixties — each along with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs together with Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears.
He was a central a part of the Motown Information music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for different artists.
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When you or somebody you recognize is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive scenario, please go to the Canadian Useful resource Centre for Victims of Crime for assist. They’re additionally reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
— With recordsdata from The Related Press
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