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Two new accusers have come forward in the sexual assault allegations against Motown legend Smokey Robinson, bringing the total number of former employees claiming misconduct to six. The 85-year-old singer now faces accusations from an additional female housekeeper and a male car mechanic, who are seeking to join the existing $50 million civil lawsuit filed earlier this year.
The original lawsuit, filed in May, included claims from four anonymous female housekeepers who alleged Robinson forced them into sexual acts repeatedly between 2007 and 2024 at his Los Angeles-area residence. Robinson has strongly denied these accusations and responded with a defamation countersuit against his former employees.
On Friday, attorney John Harris filed a motion to amend the lawsuit to include the new accusers, arguing that all claims involve “overlapping events under the same operative timeline.” The fifth housekeeper, identified in court documents as “Jane Doe 5,” alleges Robinson groped her breasts, propositioned her for sex, and forced her to scrub his back while he showered during her employment between 2007 and 2011.
The male accuser, referred to as “John Doe 1,” claims Robinson would masturbate while watching him perform car maintenance work beginning in 2013. According to the filing, the mechanic also alleges that Robinson once attempted to force him to touch the singer’s genitals.
“We commend these two courageous survivors for stepping forward and adding their voices to this case,” Harris said in a statement provided to Billboard on Wednesday. “We look forward to advocating for them vigorously as they pursue the justice they deserve.”
Robinson’s attorney Christopher Frost swiftly contested the new allegations, characterizing them as fabrications designed to extract money from the elderly music icon. “This group of people, who hide behind anonymity, and their attorneys seek global publicity while making the ugliest of false allegations,” Frost stated. “Once the public can see the truth, their avaricious motives and fabricated claims will be revealed.”
The expanding legal case represents a significant blow to Robinson’s legacy as one of Motown’s most celebrated artists. As a singer, songwriter, and record producer, Robinson was instrumental in shaping the Motown sound that defined a generation of American popular music. His work with The Miracles produced numerous hits, and his songwriting credits include classics recorded by other Motown artists.
The civil claims against Robinson are not expected to go to trial until 2027, creating a lengthy legal battle ahead for both the accusers and the music legend. In addition to the civil proceedings, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened a criminal investigation after the housekeepers filed a police report, though no criminal charges have been filed against Robinson as of now.
The case adds to the growing number of allegations against prominent entertainment figures in recent years, following the momentum of the #MeToo movement that began in 2017. The inclusion of a male accuser also highlights that sexual misconduct can affect people of all genders.
While Robinson’s defense team characterizes the allegations as an “organized, avaricious campaign” targeting an elderly celebrity, the plaintiffs’ legal representatives maintain that the accusations represent a pattern of predatory behavior spanning nearly two decades.
As the case progresses through the legal system, it will likely continue to draw significant attention from both music industry observers and the public, given Robinson’s iconic status in American music history.
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10 Comments
These are serious allegations that deserve to be taken seriously. I’m interested to see how the courts handle this case and what the final outcome will be.
Allegations of this nature are very concerning. I hope the victims receive justice if the claims are substantiated. The legal system needs to handle this sensitively.
Disturbing allegations. If true, this is a serious abuse of power and trust. I hope the facts come to light through a fair legal process.
Lawsuits of this nature can be complex, with competing narratives. I encourage everyone to reserve judgment until the facts are fully established.
These new accusations add to the complexity of this case. It’s important to withhold judgment until all evidence is presented. I’m curious to see how this unfolds.
Workplace harassment and assault are never acceptable, regardless of one’s fame or status. I’m glad the victims are coming forward to seek accountability.
The details in this case are quite disturbing. I hope the truth emerges and any wrongdoing is met with appropriate consequences.
This is a stark reminder that no one is above the law. I’ll be following this case closely to see how it plays out in the courts.
This is a troubling development. Workplace misconduct claims should be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Hoping for transparency and accountability.
Workplace misconduct claims require a thorough, impartial investigation. I hope the legal process can uncover the truth and provide justice if warranted.