When a man with the soulful sound of Smokey Robinson is pulled into the spotlight of accusation, the notes of his story become discordant. On Tuesday, four women – all former housekeepers – filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault, battery, and a hostile work environment against the Motown star and his wife, Frances Robinson.
These women, identified only as Jane Does, are each accusing Robinson of sordid acts that have no place in a civilized society. The allegations range from unwanted advances to repeated sexual assaults, creating a dark symphony of charges against the beloved artist.
Each of these women has also implicated Frances Robinson in their tales of torment. They accuse her of failing to prevent her husband’s alleged misconduct and of perpetuating a hostile work environment that included verbal abuse and racially insensitive language.
Robinson’s accusers were all employees at his residence in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. The allegations span several years, with one woman claiming the assault started as far back as 2007. Tragically, these women claim their silence was born out of fear of losing their livelihoods, fear of public humiliation, and fear for their families.
The question that keeps bouncing around my mind is… Where does the truth lie? The claimants are seeking at least $50 million in damages and are calling for a jury trial. Robinson, for his part, has not yet responded to these serious allegations.
At a press conference, their lawyer, John Harris, spoke with grim certainty about the accusations. He called Robinson’s alleged actions “despicable” and highlighted that the four women were all Hispanic, earning below minimum wage. Harris said, “These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Robinson is a towering figure in the music industry, a beacon of the Motown sound. These allegations, if proven, could cast a long and damning shadow over his legacy.
This lawsuit represents a painful collision of two American narratives, the rags-to-riches tale of a music legend and the all-too-common struggle of women facing workplace harassment. These are the crossroads where we find ourselves.
From where I sit, the landscape looks like this: A beloved figure stands accused, four women claim their lives have been irrevocably damaged, and the justice system is left to sort the truth from the lies. It’s a scenario more somber than a blues song on a rainy night.
As my father used to say, “The truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.” So, as the legal proceedings begin, we await the unveiling of that truth. Will it sing a song of justice, or will it strike a discordant note of deception? Only time will tell.
