Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Gladney, are currently facing serious accusations. Four former female employees reportedly filed a lawsuit against the singer, with detailed allegations, including sexual assault and more.
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Smokey Robinson Reportedly Sued By Former Female Employees
According to court documents obtained by Variety, the women, who are listed as Jane Does, reportedly filed the suit Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. All four claim they were sexually assaulted by Smokey while working as housekeepers and staff at his California home.
But it doesn’t stop there. The women also accuse them of battery, gender violence, and allege that Frances created a hostile and toxic work environment. The former employees claim she regularly used “ethnically pejorative” language and often screamed at her husband in their presence.
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The lawsuit also accuses Frances of ignoring previous allegations of misconduct, even after other incidents were reportedly settled behind closed doors. The suit also seeks at least $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the four women allege took place between 2007 and 2024.
Social Media Reacts To Lawsuit
Social media lit up with reactions after news broke about the lawsuit against Smokey Robinson and his wife. Users took to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section to express shock as the allegations went viral.
One Instagram user @sweethoneyyarii wrote, “Idk about Smokey but I work with a lot of old men and they get fresh with the women!!”
Instagram user @lesoleil_faja said, “Damn not Smokey”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @babydaddies_nightmare_ said, “At this point I’m waiting on the Nelson Mandela lawsuit….”
While Instagram user @gio_giorgio_24 added, “Well, I have seen performances of him with female singers and I seen him be a little touchy. It looked weird to me and here we are…”
Finally, Instagram user @j_boi386 wrote, “Cmon Smokey 🤦🏾”
More Details On The Case
The timeline of these alleged incidents is extensive. One woman, who worked for the Robinsons from January 2023 to February 2024, claims she was assaulted at least seven times. Another Jane Doe, who worked for the couple from 2014 to 2020, alleges 23 separate assaults. A third claims 20 assaults occurred during her 12-year employment ending in April 2024. The fourth woman, who worked as Frances’ assistant and chef since 2006, says she was assaulted back in 2007.
Furthermore, one of the women detailed how she resisted Smokey’s advances when he allegedly offered her $500 for oral sex, which she refused. Another woman details a separate incident in the latter part of 2016. She claimed he would text her to meet at areas of his residence where closed-circuit cameras were not placed. Following, he would “immediately grab her” and “penetrate her” with his fingers, causing excruciating pain.
All four women say they kept quiet for years due to fear of losing their jobs, jeopardizing their immigration status, or facing backlash from their families and communities.
As of now, neither Smokey nor Frances has publicly responded to the lawsuit.
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