Four former housekeepers accuse Smokey Robinson of sexual assault

In Los Angeles, four former housekeepers have filed a lawsuit against singer Smokey Robinson, claiming repeated instances of sexual assault and rape while working for him. The allegations span a timeframe from 2007 to 2024, during which the women assert that they endured a hostile working environment and faced labor violations including excessive hours without proper pay. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages and accuses Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, of fostering a toxic environment that enabled these abuses. Each of the women involved—identified only as Jane Does for privacy—reported that they were assaulted when alone with Robinson in his home. Fearing retaliation and complications related to their immigration status, they remained silent about the assaults until now. At a press conference, their attorney described the psychological toll the incidents took on the women, highlighting feelings of shame and embarrassment for having to disclose the acts to their families. The women's attorney argues that their silence was primarily due to a combination of fear and financial vulnerability, noting they were low-wage earners dependent on their jobs for survival. The lawsuit claims significant psychological harm and discusses how the experiences affected the women's lives, stating that they suffered emotionally due to the repeated assaults. Two of the plaintiffs have provided detailed accounts: one alleges a minimum of 20 assaults over her eight years of employment, while another reported at least 23 over a four-year period. They shared that they kept their experiences secret from each other, which further hindered their ability to seek help. In addition to the charges against Smokey Robinson, the lawsuit also underscores the necessity for systemic change within the workplace to protect employees from similar experiences. It brings into question the responsibilities of employers in ensuring a safe work environment and the impunity that often accompanies celebrity status. As the case unfolds, it is expected to highlight issues concerning labor rights as well as the mechanisms that allow harassment and abuse to continue unaddressed in powerful social environments.