Summary of Allegations Against Smokey Robinson
On May 8, 2025, Smokey Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, publicly condemned allegations of sexual assault made by four women, asserting that they are false and financially motivated. Frost characterized the lawsuit, which demands $50 million, as an attempt to exploit Robinson’s status as an 85-year-old public figure. He characterized the situation as a media circus, claiming that the legal proceedings are geared toward fraud rather than justice. Robinson, in a separate statement to the Daily Mail, expressed his shock over the accusations but did not elaborate further, indicating he is currently unable to address the matter comprehensively.
The lawsuit, filed on May 6, claims that the four women—referred to as Jane Doe—worked as housekeepers for Robinson and his wife, Frances Gladney. They allege a range of serious offenses, including sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence, and a hostile work environment. Additionally, the women accuse Robinson of failing to meet labor requirements concerning wages, rest periods, and accurate payment documentation. The gravity of the allegations places significant pressure on both Robinson and his legal team as they prepare to counter these claims.
The first plaintiff, Jane Doe 1, alleges that she worked for the couple from January 2023 to February 2024. She claims to have been coerced into resigning due to repeated sexual harassment by Robinson. This included troubling accounts of being left alone with him when his wife was away and subjected to non-consensual sexual actions in a locked bedroom. She detailed several incidents in which she asserts Robinson assaulted her despite her protests and reminders of his marital status, with claims of at least seven violent encounters.
Similarly, Jane Doe 2, who worked for the couple from 2014 to 2020, alleges that she faced repeated sexual assaults beginning in 2016. She claims that Robinson would invite her to private rooms devoid of security cameras, after which he would allegedly commit acts of violent sexual assault against her. Jane Doe 2 describes at least 23 separate occasions of abuse, categorizing the trauma she endured as both physical and psychological.
Jane Doe 3 alleges that her employment period stretched from 2012 until 2024, during which she encountered persistent sexual abuse. Echoing the previous accounts, she described being coerced into sexual acts after being positioned on a towel laid on Robinson’s bed. Her allegations claim at least 20 instances of similar abuse, showcasing a pattern of behavior that raises severe concerns.
Finally, Jane Doe 4, who worked for the couple from 2006 to 2024, claims that the first act of sexual misconduct occurred in 2007 when she accompanied Robinson to his property in Las Vegas. The allegations extend beyond this location as she claims to have faced various forms of sexual assault in multiple residences owned by Robinson. Overall, the collective testimony of these women paints a distressing picture of predatory behavior, leading them to seek substantial damages for their suffering.
As these allegations come to light, Robinson has yet to provide a full response, and the lawsuit remains a focal point of public scrutiny. The situation has instigated conversations surrounding issues of power dynamics in professional spaces and the treatment of women in the workplace. Amidst these serious claims, support resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of addressing and assisting survivors in these complex and troubling situations.
