Motown legend Smokey Robinson has countersued four former employees for $500 million, denying sexual abuse allegations and releasing evidence he says proves their claims are part of a smear campaign.
At a Glance
- Smokey Robinson and his wife are countersuing four former housekeepers for $500 million over abuse allegations.
- The women had initially filed a $50 million lawsuit claiming Robinson assaulted them from 2007 to 2024.
- Robinson’s legal team has provided friendly texts and photos of vacations taken with his wife and accusers.
- The countersuit includes claims of elder abuse, civil conspiracy, and emotional distress.
- The case is under investigation by Los Angeles authorities, but no charges have been filed.
Robinson Fights Back
Music icon Smokey Robinson has launched an aggressive legal counteroffensive after being accused of sexual misconduct by four former employees. The 85-year-old singer filed a $500 million lawsuit against the women, claiming the accusations are false and financially motivated. His legal team presented a trove of evidence—text messages, photos, and records of gifts—to suggest the accusers maintained warm, voluntary relationships with Robinson and his wife Frances Gladney for years.
According to CBS News, the initial lawsuit accused Robinson of abuse over a 17-year period. Robinson’s legal team dismissed it as an extortion attempt: “The depths of Plaintiffs’ avarice and greed knows no bounds,” court filings state.
In the countersuit, Robinson accuses the four women of elder abuse and conspiring to inflict reputational and emotional harm. His attorneys also argue that the plaintiffs’ anonymity and the absence of criminal charges cast further doubt on the claims.
Two Stark Narratives
The case hinges on two vastly different portrayals of the same relationships. Robinson’s team insists he treated the accusers as “extended family,” offering them financial support and even going on vacation with them. “The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of plaintiffs,” the countersuit states, emphasizing documents published by the Daily Wire.
Watch a report: Smokey Robinson Faces Legal Showdown.
On the other hand, the accusers’ attorney John Harris argues the women were victims too ashamed to speak up earlier. “Having to tell their [spouses] and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment,” Harris said in a public statement.
His legal team plans to file an anti-SLAPP motion, claiming the countersuit is an intimidation tactic designed to silence victims and discredit legitimate accusations.
Legacy on Trial
At the heart of the legal battle is more than money—it’s Smokey Robinson’s legacy. As a founding figure of Motown and writer of countless soul classics, his musical contributions span decades and generations. But the specter of these allegations threatens to redefine his public persona at the twilight of his career.
For now, the case sits in a tense legal limbo. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation, but no charges have been filed. Meanwhile, both sides prepare for what could be a prolonged and highly public courtroom showdown.
In a media environment shaped by the #MeToo movement and counterclaims of defamation, Robinson’s story could become another high-profile flashpoint in the ongoing debate over justice, due process, and reputational ruin in the court of public opinion.
