Smokey Robinson is making headlines, this time not for awards or achievements, but for something horrible and nasty. Four women who used to work for music legend Smokey Robinson are accusing him of serious misconduct, including rape and sexual harassment. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles on May 6, 2025, and it also includes claims against his wife, Frances Robinson.
The women claim they suffered for years in silence but are now speaking up and asking for at least $50 million in damages. Smokey Robinson, now 85, is one of Motown’s most well-known stars. But behind the fame and charisma, it seems like the musician was hiding a dark side.
Four women have accused him of assault that has been happening for close to two decades
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The four women, whose names have been kept private, say they worked as housekeepers, assistants, and cooks in the Robinson homes in California and Las Vegas. According to the lawsuit, the assaults started as early as 2006 and went on for nearly two decades. The women say Robinson would call them to his private rooms, often when his wife wasn’t home, and then force himself on them. One woman claims he raped her from behind on multiple occasions.
One of the most disturbing parts of the complaint involves what the women describe as repeated rape in specific locations within Robinson’s home—particularly a room referred to as “the blue bedroom.” Others say the alleged abuse happened in places without camera coverage, like the garage or laundry room. They also claim Robinson would sometimes emerge from the shower unclothed, using his status and physical presence to force them into unwanted sex acts. All four women said they were unable to leave the rooms due to physical barriers or threats of force.
Another appalling aspect of the complaint is the claim that Frances Robinson, Smokey’s wife, knew what was happening. Instead of helping, she is accused of allowing it to continue and creating a stressful and abusive workplace. She allegedly used harsh and offensive language and made life difficult for the women working in their home. Smokey Robinson’s wife is now facing serious questions about how many details she knew and why she didn’t act.
No criminal charges have been filed yet; it’s still a civil case
According to the women’s lawyer, they were afraid to speak up because of their status. Many of them were immigrants or low-wage earners who worried that reporting the abuse might cost them their jobs or even get them deported. Some of them feared how their families might react. Others were too scared to take on someone as powerful as Smokey Robinson. Their lawyer said at a press conference that the women were “powerless,” working long hours without proper pay or rest breaks, while enduring abuse. The lawsuit also includes claims of unpaid wages, no overtime, and poor working conditions.
No criminal charges have been filed yet. Police and the district attorney have not opened a formal investigation. A spokesperson said no case has been brought to them by law enforcement. That means, for now, this is a civil case, not a criminal one. Still, the impact of the lawsuit could be huge. If the women win, it could lead to a big payout and a major blow to Robinson’s reputation. And if more people come forward, the case could grow even bigger. So far, Robinson and his wife have not made any public comments.
This isn’t the first time Smokey Robinson’s personal life has come under the spotlight. He has spoken in the past about having multiple affairs during his marriage to his first wife, Claudette. He even had a child with another woman before ending his marriage in 1986.
The women say they are not just after money — they want justice. They say they were abused, ignored, and treated as if they didn’t matter. As of now, Smokey Robinson and his wife are facing some of the most serious claims of their lives. The court will decide what happens next.