Is Smokey Robinson, the velvet-voiced icon behind My Girl and Tracks of My Tears, now facing serious allegations that could threaten his legendary status? Four anonymous former housekeepers say yes — but Robinson’s legal team is calling it a “vile,” calculated attempt at extortion. As the courtroom drama unfolds, the music world is holding its breath.
Smokey Robinson Denies $50 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Motown’s golden boy, Smokey Robinson, is facing a bombshell lawsuit filed by four former housekeepers accusing him of sexual assault, rape, and labor violations that allegedly date back to 2007. The women, who remain anonymous, also claim Robinson’s wife, Frances, was aware of the misconduct and contributed to a hostile work environment.
The plaintiffs are asking for a hefty $50 million in damages, and they’ve requested a jury trial to air their grievances in public.
A Timeline of Claims and Counterclaims
On May 6, 2025, the lawsuit was officially filed in Los Angeles. The women, identified as Jane Does 1-4, accuse Smokey Robinson of everything from sexual battery to false imprisonment. One plaintiff claims to have been assaulted more than 23 times, and another claims to have been raped more than 20 times. The claimed crimes cover almost two decades.
These former employees, described as low-wage workers, say they feared for their jobs, their reputations, and their safety, which kept them from reporting the abuse sooner. Now, they are seeking justice—and the lawsuit has gained international attention.
How the Story Broke
May 7, 2025: Media outlets like USA TODAY, NBC News, and The Daily Mail quickly picked up the story, amplifying it to a global audience. Robinson replied briefly to The Daily Mail with a surprised “I am appalled” before disconnecting the discussion. Smokey Robinson’s legal team wasted no time issuing a public statement, calling the allegations “a media circus” and a “money grab.”
Smokey Robinson and Legal Team Deny Allegations
Motown legend Smokey Robinson, through his legal representative, has firmly denied the explosive sexual assault allegations levied against him by four anonymous former housekeepers. In a statement provided to multiple media outlets, including USA Today, The Independent, and NBC News, Robinson’s attorney Christopher Frost described the claims as “vile” and “false,” characterizing the lawsuit as a “desperate money grab” targeting an 85-year-old cultural icon.
“As this case progresses, the evidence (the crucial element that guides us) will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon – $50 million, to be exact,” Frost stated.
Frost went on to condemn what he called the plaintiffs’ “bizarre theatrics” and accused their attorneys of attempting to incite a “media circus.”
“Through this process, we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday’s news conference… trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant,” he said.
The attorney emphasized inconsistencies in the plaintiffs’ timeline and alleged that parts of the complaint “defy credulity,” suggesting relationships and interactions that do not align with factual evidence.
“We will be addressing the numerous aspects of the complaint that defy credulity, as well as issues relating to purported timelines, inconsistencies, and relationships between the plaintiffs and others.”
Frost also criticized the plaintiffs’ attorneys for their public conduct:
“We will be asking the Court to address that in their statements to the press about Mr. Robinson, the plaintiff’s attorneys have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context.”
Social Media and Public Reaction
As of now, neither Smokey Robinson nor his wife Frances has posted any personal remarks on social media. However, reports from The Daily Mail suggest that when briefly reached by phone on May 7, Robinson said:
“I am appalled,” before hanging up, adding that he “can’t speak about this right now.”
Plaintiffs’ Legal Team Responds
In a separate statement, the plaintiffs’ attorneys pushed back strongly against the denials, asserting the credibility of their clients’ experiences.
“We stand behind our four clients’ truthful claims, which are neither false nor vile, but clearly describe Mr. Robinson’s despicable criminal acts,” the legal team said via USA Today.
Herbert Hayden, an attorney representing the women, alleged that Robinson is “a serial and sick rapist who must be stopped,” adding that Frances Robinson not only had knowledge of the assaults but used verbal abuse and racial slurs to intimidate the plaintiffs.
“We believe she was aware of the misconduct by her husband… and that she used their status as well as our clients’ reliance on their living wage in order to keep them in check,” Hayden stated.
The lawsuit filed on May 6 details alleged sexual assaults dating back to 2007 and continuing through 2024. It also includes claims of wage theft, failure to provide breaks, and maintaining a hostile work environment.
A Legacy on Trial: The Complexity of Public Icons and Private Allegations
As the allegations against Smokey Robinson unfold in the courts and the media, the world watches with conflicted emotions—torn between reverence for a Motown legend and the harrowing claims brought forward by former employees.
