Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson is speaking out amid serious allegations in a newly filed civil lawsuit. The icon is accused of battery and other misconduct by former employees, claiming to have worked for Robinson and his wife for years.
RELATED: Smokey Robinson Reportedly Sued By 4 Female Former Staffers Over Sexual Assault Allegations
Smokey Robinson Speaks Out
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 6, includes allegations of sexual battery, assault, and more. The four women, identified only as Jane Does, also named Robinson’s wife, Frances Gladney, in the lawsuit. They claimed that Gladney created an unsafe workplace during their time of employment.
Robinson briefly addressed the situation in a phone interview with the Daily Mail on May 7, stating, “I am appalled… I can’t speak about this right now.” Meanwhile, Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, spoke with TMZ and slammed the lawsuit.
“This is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon — $50 million, to be exact,” Frost said. He also criticized the plaintiffs’ legal team, calling a press conference “bizarre theatrics” and accusing them of a media circus.
“We ask anyone following this case to reserve judgment as the evidence comes to light,” Frost added.
Background On The Lawsuit
As previously covered by The Shade Room, four former employees filed a lawsuit against Robinson, accusing him of sexual assault and more while working as housekeepers and staff at his California home. According to court documents, the four women also allege gender violence. They claim that Robinson’s wife created a hostile work environment marked by verbal abuse and racially charged language.
The timeline of the alleged abuse spans nearly two decades. One plaintiff claims she was assaulted seven times between January 2023 and February 2024, while another cites 23 incidents during her employment from 2014 to 2020. A third woman reports 20 assaults over 12 years, and a fourth says she was assaulted in 2007 while working as Frances Robinson’s assistant and chef. The lawsuit includes disturbing claims that Robinson offered money for sex, and allegedly targeted them in areas of the home without security cameras.
What Comes Next For Smokey?
The Robinson team says a motion to dismiss will be filed, promising Smokey will respond in his own words. Frost added that key evidence will highlight timeline issues, inconsistencies, and prior relationships between the plaintiffs and others. He emphasized that these elements, once thoroughly examined, will raise doubts about the credibility of the claims.
The legal team is also expected to challenge the nature of the working relationships cited in the lawsuit, suggesting they were not as portrayed by the plaintiffs. Robinson’s camp urges the public to withhold judgment until they can present all the facts in court.
