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Motown icon Smokey Robinson is facing a new sexual battery allegation, this time from a male former employee, expanding an already-pending lawsuit that previously included four female accusers. The amended filing, submitted in mid-November 2025, identifies the man only as John Doe 1 and describes conduct he says occurred over several years while he worked for Robinson as a car detailer.
According to the complaint, the man began working at Robinson’s residence around 2013. He alleges that the singer routinely approached him wearing only underwear, exposed himself and made sexually suggestive comments and gestures. The accuser claims that Robinson’s behavior escalated over time, creating a work environment he describes as degrading and unsafe.
One of the most serious claims in the filing centers on an incident the man says took place in 2022. During that encounter, Robinson allegedly touched the man’s hand and attempted to force it onto his genitals. The accuser states that he was dismissed not long after the incident, only to be rehired in 2023 at the request of Robinson’s wife, Frances. He asserts that the inappropriate conduct resumed after he returned, leaving him with emotional distress and fear for his well-being. He is now seeking damages for the alleged harassment and battery.
The man’s accusation joins an earlier lawsuit filed in May 2025 by four former female housekeepers who accused Robinson and his wife of sexual battery, assault and fostering a hostile work environment. Those plaintiffs are collectively seeking $50 million in damages. Their filing sparked a wider examination of Robinson’s workplace conduct and prompted a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department earlier this year.
Robinson’s legal team has strongly denied all allegations. His attorney, Christopher Frost, said the new claims are part of what he described as an orchestrated effort to obtain money from the 85-year-old musician. He criticized the anonymity granted to the plaintiffs and argued that the accusations lack substantiating evidence. Robinson’s lawyers have also filed motions asking the court to compel the plaintiffs to provide additional documentation and to reveal further details about their claims.
A hearing to approve the addition of the new accusers, including the male claimant, has been scheduled for early January 2026. As the case moves forward, Robinson continues to deny any wrongdoing, maintaining that the accusations are false and motivated by financial interest.
