LOS ANGELES – Legendary Motown artist Smokey Robinson is facing serious allegations from four former housekeepers, who have filed a lawsuit accusing him of repeatedly sexually assaulting and raping them over a period spanning from 2007 to 2024.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, demands at least $50 million in damages, citing not only the alleged assaults but also claims of labor violations such as a hostile work environment, excessively long hours, and failure to pay wages.

Representatives for the 85-year-old Robinson did not respond to requests for comment.

Allegations of Abuse and a Hostile Work Environment

The women, who have chosen to remain anonymous and are listed as Jane Does in court filings, accuse Robinson of sexual misconduct that occurred when they were alone with him at his Los Angeles home. The alleged assaults took place over several years, with each woman saying that Robinson sexually assaulted and raped them against their will.

“We believe Mr. Robinson is a serial rapist who needs to be held accountable,” attorney John Harris stated during a press conference. Harris, who represents the four women, described the singer’s actions as “despicable” and said they were necessary to stop him from further abusing others.

All of the women eventually quit their jobs due to the abuse, but not without enduring years of fear, shame, and anxiety over retaliation, public exposure, and, in some cases, concerns about their immigration status.

“They feared losing their jobs and the ability to support their families,” Harris explained. “The shame they felt made it impossible for them to speak up sooner.”

The Allegations and Impact

The suit also targets Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, accusing her of enabling her husband’s alleged misconduct, despite knowing about the assaults. It also claims that she contributed to the toxic work environment, with reports of verbal abuse and ethnic slurs directed at the women.

The plaintiffs’ allegations vary in detail, but each woman paints a similar picture of repeated sexual abuse. One woman claims she worked for the Robinsons for 12 years, being assaulted at least 20 times during her employment. Another worked from 2014 to 2020 and says she was assaulted more than 20 times. Two others also describe similar experiences, with one of them working for the Robinsons for nearly two decades.

The women, who were unaware of one another’s experiences at the time, are now standing together in their quest for justice, according to their attorneys. Despite the heavy emotional toll, they have refused to identify themselves publicly, opting to keep their faces masked during the press conference.

Legal Action and Requests for Compensation

In addition to seeking monetary compensation for the abuse and alleged labor violations, the lawsuit includes multiple charges, including sexual battery, false imprisonment, and gender-based violence. Although no amount of money can truly compensate the women for their suffering, their attorney, Harris, argues that the $50 million is a reasonable figure given the severity of the alleged offenses.

While the women have not yet filed criminal charges against Robinson, their attorneys have emphasized that the matter could still be pursued in the criminal justice system. The decision not to report the incidents to police was largely due to the same fears of retaliation and personal consequences that prevented them from coming forward earlier.

Smokey Robinson’s Legacy and Future

Robinson, an iconic figure in the music industry, is known for his incredible career both as a member of the Miracles and as a solo artist with classic hits like “Tears of a Clown” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” His work as a producer and songwriter helped define the Motown sound, making him one of the most influential figures in American music.

As the case progresses, the future of Robinson’s legacy in the music industry may be further called into question, especially as the lawsuit’s allegations gain attention. Robinson’s legal team has yet to respond publicly to the accusations, but with a court hearing scheduled, this case is poised to remain in the headlines.

As more details unfold, the lawsuit shines a light on the serious allegations of abuse that have been hidden behind the fame and success of one of Motown’s most celebrated stars.\

Source:  AP News – Smokey Robinson accused by former housekeepers of sexual assault and rape

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In November 2011, Gisèle Pelicot began to notice something strange. Despite working hard during the week, she found herself increasingly fatigued, often drifting into deep sleep without warning. It was puzzling; weekends were her time to recharge, but she couldn’t seem to stay awake.

At the time, Gisèle, 58, was content with her life. She had been married to Dominique, her husband of 38 years, and they were planning for a peaceful retirement in the village of Mazan, located in southern France’s Provence region. Their children, Caroline, David, and Florian, were grown, and Gisèle looked forward to long walks with their dog, Lancôme, and quiet days with Dominique. She reflected fondly on their relationship, recalling how they’d supported each other through tough times, including financial struggles and past infidelities. By all appearances, they had weathered their storms together.

But things were not as they seemed.

What Gisèle couldn’t have known was that in his late 50s, as Dominique neared retirement, he had been secretly leading a disturbing double life. He had become deeply involved in online chatrooms where explicit and illegal content was shared. He was exploring darker impulses, and his obsession with this new world would soon lead to an unimaginable betrayal.

The start of his downward spiral can be traced to a man claiming to be a nurse who sent Dominique photos of his wife, drugged with sleeping pills. He shared instructions on how to replicate the drugging process, leading Dominique to experiment on his wife. Over time, he perfected the method, using prescribed tranquilisers to render Gisèle unconscious. Once in this state, Dominique would film her in compromising situations that she would never have agreed to while awake. What began as a shocking act of betrayal evolved into a decade-long cycle of abuse.

As Dominique continued his horrifying actions, Gisèle’s health rapidly deteriorated. She lost weight, experienced frequent blackouts, and was plagued by anxiety, convinced that something was terribly wrong. Her family noticed the changes, but Dominique always had an explanation for her odd behavior. He told them Gisèle was simply tired from her active life.

Though Gisèle occasionally suspected something was amiss – like noticing unusual stains on her clothes or the strange color of a drink – she brushed off her concerns, trusting her husband and attributing her symptoms to stress. When she underwent tests for various health conditions, nothing explained her increasingly debilitating fatigue.

It wasn’t until 2020, when Dominique was arrested for a separate incident in a supermarket, that the full extent of his crimes came to light. When police confiscated his devices, they discovered over 20,000 videos and photos of Gisèle, as well as evidence of her abuse by more than 70 men. Some of the men had been recruited by Dominique through online forums, where he encouraged them to participate in his sickening acts.

The horror escalated when Gisèle learned the truth. On November 2, 2020, after a police visit, Gisèle was shown a photo of one of the assaults. It was in that moment she realized the unimaginable: her husband, the man she had trusted and loved for decades, had been drugging and abusing her for years. Devastated, Gisèle’s world collapsed. She immediately informed her children, and they rushed to Mazan to confront the truth.

The family quickly took action, clearing out the house and severing all ties with Dominique. Gisèle, heartbroken and in shock, began the painful process of reclaiming her life. The divorce was finalized shortly before the trial, and Gisèle chose to return to her maiden name. She had previously kept her married name for her grandchildren’s sake, but now, she wanted to redefine herself and distance her legacy from the man who had betrayed her.

Throughout the trial, Gisèle’s courage became a symbol of resilience. She made the brave decision to waive her anonymity and publicly share her story, hoping to raise awareness about chemical submission and prevent other women from suffering the same fate. By allowing the disturbing videos to be shown in court, Gisèle’s legal team helped refute Dominique’s defense that the abuse was accidental.

As Gisèle faced her abuser in court, her strength and resolve were evident. “I want any woman who wakes up one morning with no memories of the night before to remember what I said,” she declared. “I was sacrificed on the altar of vice, and we need to talk about it.”

Gisèle’s story sent shockwaves through the courtroom, with many remarking on her extraordinary resilience. “She turned what could have destroyed her into strength,” one expert observed. Gisèle herself acknowledged that she is still healing, but her determination to fight for justice has transformed her pain into a powerful message.

Today, Gisèle lives in a new village far from Mazan, where she is focusing on her recovery. She no longer takes medication, instead relying on long walks and therapy. Though she is still haunted by the trauma, she is rebuilding her life on her own terms, away from the man who once held her captive in their shared home.

Her family, too, has found strength in the face of this unimaginable betrayal. Her son-in-law, Pierre, summed it up best when he said, “You cannot imagine the unimaginable.”

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Tensions erupted during the French mass rape trial on Wednesday when Dominique Pelicot’s daughter, Caroline, shouted across the courtroom that her father would “die alone like a dog.” The trial, which has drawn widespread attention, involves Pelicot and 50 other defendants accused of heinous crimes, with a verdict expected on December 20.

Caroline’s Anguish and Accusations

Caroline Darian, 45, accused her father of drugging and abusing her after semi-nude photos of her asleep were discovered on his laptop. Pelicot denies these allegations but admitted to drugging his wife, Gisèle, over a decade and recruiting men online to rape her while she was unconscious.

Caroline, visibly emotional, described how her life “stopped” in 2020 when police showed her the photos. Speaking directly to her father during his final testimony, she declared, “I will never come to see you. Never. You will die alone like a dog.”

In response, Pelicot expressed regret for losing his daughter’s support, recounting memories of their close relationship. “I would love to see her, to talk to her,” he said, but his words were met with silence and tears from Caroline.

Testimonies of Betrayal and Pain

During questioning, Pelicot described himself as a sex addict, admitting he felt “unburdened” after his arrest. He denied being motivated by revenge for his wife’s affair in the 1980s, calling the act of drugging someone “crap” and stating it “annihilates everything.”

Pelicot’s wife, Gisèle, courageously waived her anonymity to bring the trial to light. Her lawyers commended her bravery in pursuing justice despite the emotional toll.

Closing Arguments: A Historic Trial

Lawyers for Gisèle emphasized the trial’s significance, calling it a historic moment for addressing sexual violence and systemic abuse. Antoine Camus, one of her attorneys, condemned the “banality of evil,” referencing philosopher Hannah Arendt, and highlighted the collective responsibility of all involved in enabling such atrocities.

“Everyone who entered that house of horrors knew others had come before them and would follow,” Camus stated. He dismissed the defense’s argument that many men were manipulated or unaware of Gisèle’s unconscious state, arguing this excuse undermined accountability.

Gisèle’s Fight for Justice

The case has profoundly affected Gisèle’s life, forcing her to live in obscurity under her maiden name. However, in 2023, she decided to waive her anonymity, driven by a desire to shift the burden of shame and expose the reality of rape.

“She understood that for her story to help others, she needed to step into the light,” said her lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau. He emphasized that this trial was not just about seeking justice for Gisèle but creating a legacy for future generations.

A Legacy of Courage

Babonneau concluded by urging the judges to reject the defense’s argument of ignorance, warning of the dangerous precedent it could set. “If you accept the right to make a mistake, what stops another man from saying he misunderstood ‘no’ as ‘yes’ tomorrow?” he asked.

Turning to Gisèle, Babonneau paid tribute to her courage, saying, “You did your job. You went beyond what was expected of you. Now, pass on the torch to others to continue the fight you never chose.”

As the courtroom fell silent, Gisèle wiped her tears, embodying resilience in the face of unimaginable betrayal. The trial stands as a pivotal moment in addressing sexual violence and systemic abuse, with its outcome likely to resonate far beyond the courtroom.

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