Attorneys for four former Smokey Robinson housekeepers who allege they were sexually abused by the music legend are asking a judge to allow a man and a woman with similar allegations to join the others as plaintiffs in the case.
According to their suit filed May 6 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the four original plaintiffs contend the alleged abuses occurred at the 85-year-old Motown icon’s Chatsworth home and elsewhere. The two new proposed plaintiffs are identified as Jane Doe 5 and John Doe 1, and a Jan. 6 hearing is scheduled before Judge Kevin Brazile on their request to join the case.
One current plaintiff alleges Robinson waited until his wife, Frances Robinson, was at a nail salon before abusing her. The original plaintiffs further allege that Frances Robinson tolerated the singer’s behavior toward them and also was herself belligerent in her interactions with the staff.
Jane Doe 5 says she worked for the Robinsons in 2005, took time off for a work injury, then returned and worked from 2007-11. She alleges Robinson would tell her in Spanish to come to him while he showered and try to get her to touch him inappropriately. He allegedly asked her to have sex with him, and she claims she was not fully paid for all work done, according to the proposed amended complaint, which further states that she did not report Robinson to the police for fear of losing her livelihood.
John Doe 1 says he was hired in 2013 and did auto detailing and other services for the Robinsons. He contends that Robinson touched himself inappropriately and made sexually suggestive gestures, prompting Doe 1 to say in response, “put some clothes on,” according to the proposed amended complaint.
Robinson laughed at Doe 1’s objections and he “ultimately ceased performing work for defendants after learning of similar conduct toward other victims and out of concern for his own well-being,” the proposed revised lawsuit states.