Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual abuse by 4 of his former housekeepers in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom.
The ladies allege he repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them whereas they labored for him at his dwelling in Chatsworth, Calif.
The go well with, considered by World Information, seeks not less than US$50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the ladies say befell between 2006 and 2024, and labour violations, together with a hostile work atmosphere, 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, stated at a information convention on Tuesday.
The 4 girls every say Robinson would wait till he was alone with them in his Los Angeles dwelling, then sexually assault and rape them.
“We consider that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and have to be stopped,” Harris stated.
Every girl stated they ultimately give up over the assaults, although in some circumstances it took a number of years. They stated they feared coming ahead over fears of retaliation, public disgrace and doable results on their immigration standing.
“Having to inform their husband and youngsters of those despicable actions left them full of 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 stated there was a “widespread thread” between all the girls.
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They “have been Hispanic girls employed as housekeepers incomes under minimal wage,” Harris stated. “As low-wage staff in susceptible positions, they lacked the sources and choices to guard themselves.”
He stated that as low-wage earners, in addition they all feared “lacking a payday, and never with the ability to afford hire 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 understanding about previous sexual misconduct. It additionally blames her for the hostile work atmosphere, 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 few of the plaintiffs labored for Robinson on the identical time, Harris revealed, however they have been too embarrassed to disclose the alleged assaults.
The go well with alleges that Jane Doe 1 stated she labored for the couple for a yr earlier than quitting in 2024 and was assaulted not less than seven instances. Jane Doe 1 stated 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 workers 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, based on the go well with.
The go well with alleges that Robinson assaulted Jane Doe 2 not less than 23 instances 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 dwelling with out safety cameras, just like the laundry room or storage, earlier than sexually assaulting her.
Jane Doe 3 alleges that Robinson assaulted her not less than 20 instances in the course of the 12 years she labored for him, starting in 2012.
Jane Doe 4, who stated she additionally acted as Gladney’s private assistant, hairdresser and cook dinner, labored for the couple from October 2006 till she resigned in April 2024. She cited related 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, stated that whereas they really feel the assaults are worthy of legal investigation, the ladies haven’t filed police stories, primarily based on the identical fears that saved them from coming ahead.
The go well with seeks damages primarily based on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and different allegations.
“Clearly, no amount of cash can compensate these girls for what Mr. Robinson put them via,” Harris stated. However he stated the $50 million was warranted “primarily based 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 greatest 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 Data music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for different artists.
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For those who or somebody you understand is experiencing abuse or is concerned in an abusive state of affairs, 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 information from The Related Press
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