Smokey Robinson Files $500M Defamation Countersuit Amid Sexual Assault Investigation

Motown legend Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances, have filed a $500 million defamation countersuit against four former housekeepers who accused Robinson of sexual assault, demanding dismissal of the women's $50 million lawsuit. The Robinsons contend that the allegations are fabricated as part of an extortion scheme and emphasize that they treated the women with kindness, generosity, and as extended family, providing monetary support, gifts, and vacations. The countersuit accuses the women of making false accusations to damage the Robinsons' reputations and describes the original legal action as an attempt to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon. The women, who filed their suit anonymously citing fears over livelihood, family reprisal, embarrassment, and immigration status, allege multiple incidents of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and hostile work environment dating back to 2006. Robinson's legal team has criticized the plaintiffs' attorneys for creating a media circus and has sought to remove the women's anonymity, arguing that the allegations are inconsistent and cannot identify each accuser specifically. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is conducting an ongoing criminal investigation into the allegations, with no case yet presented to the District Attorney.