Motown star Smokey Robinson, Wife Sued For Sexual Assault

Motown legend Smokey Robinson, 85, is facing a $50 million lawsuit filed on May 6, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court by four former female employees who allege sexual assault and misconduct during their employment. The plaintiffs, identified as Jane Does 1 through 4, served as housekeepers and assistants for Robinson and his wife, Frances Gladney, between 2006 and 2024. The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual battery, rape, false imprisonment, gender violence, and labor violations.

The women claim that Robinson repeatedly assaulted them at his residences in Chatsworth and Bell Canyon, California, as well as in Las Vegas. One plaintiff alleges she was raped at least 23 times between 2014 and 2020, while another reports assaults beginning in 2007. The complaint also accuses Frances Robinson of creating a hostile work environment by using ethnically derogatory language and failing to intervene despite being aware of the alleged misconduct.

The plaintiffs, described as low-income Hispanic women, state that fear of retaliation, immigration concerns, and Robinson's celebrity status deterred them from reporting the abuse earlier. They also allege wage violations, including unpaid overtime and denial of breaks.

In response to the allegations, Smokey Robinson issued a brief statement saying, "I am appalled," but declined to comment further. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed, and law enforcement agencies have not commented on the case.

This lawsuit is separate from a previous legal dispute in which Robinson's former manager sued him for $1 million over unpaid commissions; a jury ultimately awarded the manager $2,000.

The current case highlights issues of power dynamics and labor rights, particularly concerning vulnerable workers in private households. Legal experts suggest that the outcome could have broader implications for employer accountability and protections for domestic workers.