Smokey Robinson Counters Sexual Assault Claims with $500M Lawsuit, Alleges Extortion

Legendary Motown singer Smokey Robinson and his wife Frances have fired back with a $500 million cross-complaint against four former employees who accused Robinson of sexual assault, misconduct, and false imprisonment in a $50 million lawsuit filed earlier this month. The countersuit, lodged Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, charges the anonymous accusers with slander, financial elder abuse, emotional distress, and civil conspiracy, alleging their claims are a fabricated extortion scheme.

The Robinsons’ filing paints a starkly different picture, describing the accusers as treated like "extended family." They shared vacations, gifts, holidays, and even provided financial aid, including thousands of dollars, dental surgery, and a car. Text messages included in the lawsuit show warm exchanges—birthday wishes, expressions of love, and an invitation to a son’s graduation—contradicting the accusers’ narrative of abuse. The documents assert the Robinsons showed "utmost kindness and generosity," while accusing the plaintiffs of exploiting their trust, potentially even stealing valuables like gold Krugerrands and financial records from a hidden safe.

The accusers, backed by their law firm Harris & Hayden, initially demanded $100 million before filing their lawsuit, according to the cross-complaint. When their demands went unmet, they went public, staging a dramatic press conference on May 6, complete with sunglasses and face masks, where their attorney labeled Robinson a "serial and sick rapist." The Robinsons’ team calls this a "media circus" built on half-truths, noting one accuser allegedly deleted text exchanges and photos from Frances’ phone to obscure their relationship.

The original lawsuit, filed by four former housekeepers who worked at Robinson’s Chatsworth home between 2006 and 2024, alleges repeated sexual assaults and a hostile work environment enabled by Frances. One accuser claims Robinson assaulted her at least seven times, citing fear of his celebrity status and influence as reasons for her silence. Another alleges 23 assaults, claiming Robinson threatened to make Frances "mean" if she resisted. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation, but no charges have been filed.

In a bold move, the Robinsons also filed a motion to dismiss the accusers’ lawsuit, arguing it violates California law by using fictitious names. This legal showdown, blending celebrity, betrayal, and accusations of greed, underscores the messy human dynamics behind closed doors—and the challenge of discerning truth in the spotlight.