Four anonymous cleaning women continue the legend of Motown Smokey Robinson for $ 50 million (37 million pounds sterling), accusing it of sexual assault.
A complaint filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court accuses the 85 -year -old man of sexual battery, false imprisonment, neglect and gender violence, in addition to a certain number of work violations linked to wages, breaks, meal hours and overtime.
The trial also appoints Robinson’s wife, Frances Robinson, saying that she has contributed to a hostile work environment and used “words and ethnically derogatory language”.
The representatives of the Robinsons did not immediately respond to requests for comments, and the accusations could not be verified independently.
Robinson was Motown’s first hitmaker, writing the number one success like My Guy by Mary Wells and temptations.
Born William Robinson Jr in Michigan, he was both a talented scout for the label and one of his most eminent recording artists, known for songs like pieces of tears, stores and tears of a clown.
He has spots both at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and to the songwriters of renown, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 songs.
Robinson’s reputation and stature were an intimidating factor for its accusers, who were made “helpless,” said their lawyer at a press conference in Los Angeles.
“These are Hispanic women who were employed by the Robinsons who earn below the minimum wage,” said John Harris.
“As low -wage women in vulnerable positions, they did not have the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assault.”
Women continue under the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4, due to allegations of sexual misconduct, in particular rape, being upgraded against the musician.
Three are former governments and one was the singer’s personal assistant, the cook and the hairdresser, according to court documents.
In the trial, the four women claim that Robinson would summon them in various fields of his properties at Catsworth, Bell Canyon and Las Vegas, sometimes when his wife was absent.
Sometimes emerging from a shower, he forced them to have different types of sex over several years, from 2006, according to the trial.
Jane is 1, 3 and 4 alleys that Robinson assaulted them sexually in the “blue room” of her catworth residence, saying that he would extend a towel to protect the sheets before the attacks.
The allegations of Jane Doe 2 indicate that Robinson raped her in the laundry room and the garage of her catworth residence, where the closed circuit cameras could not see.
Women say that during the alleged assaults, Robinson used physical barriers and threats of strength to prevent them from fleeing.
The trial also includes several allegations of violations of the workplace.
The four women say they have worked 10 hours a day, for six days a week without being paid for the minimum wage or overtime. They also claim to have worked on a vacation without receiving a vacation rate.
According to their trial, employees are all leaving due to alleged sexual misconduct and the hostile work environment.
The BBC contacted Robinson’s representatives for a response to the trial.
No police report or criminal accusation was filed against the musician.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Prosecutor said that the allegations of women were not revised because the police had not presented any cases.
Los Angeles police said they had no statement on the issue.
