Motown icon Smokey Robinson is confronting a significant escalation in an ongoing legal battle, as two additional former employees have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct.
The new accusers, identified in court documents as a fifth Jane Doe and a John Doe, are joining a lawsuit against the 85-year-old 'Cruisin'' singer. Both individuals claim they were previously employed as housekeepers for Robinson and his wife, Frances Gladney Robinson.
Details of the New Allegations
The unnamed male accuser provides detailed accounts in the legal filing. He states that his employment at the Robinson's Chatsworth residence began around 2013. His duties involved cleaning and detailing the couple's cars in the early morning.
He alleges that on multiple occasions, Robinson would approach him wearing only his underwear and would fondle his erect genitals in plain view. The accuser describes Robinson's 'sexual arousal' as 'vivid and unmistakable during these incidents.'
The situation reportedly intensified in 2022. The lawsuit claims Robinson once grabbed the man's hand without consent and attempted to force him to touch his erect penis. The accuser states he was fired following this alleged incident.
In a surprising turn, he claims that Robinson's wife asked him to return to work a year later, which he did. However, he alleges that the inappropriate behaviour continued upon his return, ultimately causing him 'humiliation, emotional distress, and ongoing fear for his safety and dignity.' He says he ceased working for the couple after learning of similar alleged conduct towards other victims.
Legal Battle Intensifies
The other new accuser, Jane Doe, also a former housekeeper, makes a similar claim. She alleges in the lawsuit that Robinson grabbed her hand and tried to force her to touch his erect genitals on more than 10 separate occasions.
Robinson's legal representative, Christopher Frost of FROST LLP, has vehemently denied these latest accusations. In a statement, he labelled them as 'fabricated claims' and alleged they are part of an 'organized, avaricious campaign to extract money from an 85-year-old legend.'
Frost further accused the group of accusers, who remain anonymous, and their attorneys of seeking 'global publicity while making the ugliest of false allegations.' He stated that the defence has sought court intervention to compel the accusers to divulge more information and evidence.
This development follows the initial lawsuit filed in May by four other former employees, which contained allegations of rape, sexual battery, and false imprisonment. Robinson has since filed a countersuit against those initial four accusers, alleging extortion, defamation, and elder abuse.
