Motown legend Smokey Robinson has filed a $500 million countersuit against four former employees who previously accused him of sexual assault, false imprisonment, and labor violations in a $50 million lawsuit. The women, who remain anonymous, allege that Robinson assaulted them multiple times between 2007 and 2024 while they worked as housekeepers and a personal assistant in his homes.
In his countersuit, Robinson, 85, and his wife Frances claim the allegations are false and part of an extortion attempt. They assert that the accusers were treated like family, citing shared holidays, vacations, given concert tickets, and financial support. The countersuit includes claims of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, and financial elder abuse.
Robinson’s legal team has filed a motion to dismiss the original lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs’ anonymity hampers his ability to mount a defense. They also allege that the women demanded $100 million before filing their lawsuit, suggesting an extortion attempt.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has initiated a criminal investigation into the original allegations, with the Special Victims Bureau handling the case . The accusers’ attorneys maintain that their clients’ claims are truthful and not defamatory.
This legal battle adds to Robinson’s history of litigation, including past disputes over royalties with his ex-wife Claudette Robinson, and touring profits with former manager Eric Podwall.