Smokey Robinson Accused of Sexual Assault by Male and Female Ex-Employees in New Lawsuit
DETROIT – The legend behind Motown’s smoothest hits now faces a storm of scandal. Smokey Robinson, the 85-year-old icon celebrated for timeless classics like “Cruisin’” and “Tracks of My Tears,” has been hit with shocking new sexual assault allegations—this time from two additional former employees, one male and one female. The claims, added to an already $50 million lawsuit filed earlier this year, paint a disturbing picture of life behind the velvet curtains of the Robinsons’ household.
New Accusers Come Forward
According to The Guardian, lawyers representing the first four women who sued Smokey and Frances Robinson in May have now moved to include two new alleged victims—a former male valet and a female housekeeper—both of whom accuse the singer of sexual misconduct.
The male accuser claims Robinson fondled himself in front of him and tried to force the man’s hand onto his genitals. Meanwhile, one of the original “Jane Does” in the lawsuit alleges Robinson made her touch him in the shower on multiple occasions.
These fresh accounts come months after the initial suit, which accused Smokey of years of sexual abuse and Frances Robinson of running a “hostile work environment” marked by intimidation, threats, and labor violations.
Lawyer for Robinson Blasts the Claims
In a fiery statement to Rolling Stone, Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, slammed the mounting allegations as part of an “organized, avaricious campaign to extract money from an 85-year-old legend.”
“This group of people, who hide behind anonymity, and their attorneys, seek global publicity while making the ugliest of false allegations,” Frost said. “Once the public can see the truth, their avaricious motives and fabricated claims will be revealed.”
Robinson has vehemently denied all accusations, maintaining his innocence and calling the claims “false and malicious.”
The $500 Million Counterpunch
Not one to back down, the Robinsons fired back in May with a $500 million countersuit, accusing the four original plaintiffs of defamation and elder abuse. The countersuit insists,
“The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of plaintiffs; they treated plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity.”
It also alleges that the ex-housekeepers stole from the couple, claiming valuable items and gold Krugerrands vanished from a safe known only to household staff. According to court documents, police reports were filed after the thefts were discovered.
A Legacy in the Balance
For more than six decades, Smokey Robinson’s name has been synonymous with Motown excellence — from founding The Miracles to shaping the sound of an era. Now, the man whose lyrics once defined romance faces accusations that could reshape his legacy entirely.
As the case unfolds, both the allegations and the counterclaims continue to escalate, casting a shadow over one of music’s most beloved figures and raising difficult questions about fame, power, and accountability.