Smokey Robinson sues ex housekeepers for £370 million over sexual assault claims

Daily Mirror

29-05-2025

In their counter-filing, the Robinsons allege that the women made false claims of sexual misconduct as part of a scheme to extort money from the couple.
Motown icon Smokey Robinson has filed a £370 million defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of sexual assault.
The singer has called their claims 'extortionate' and 'fabricated.' The civil suit, filed on Wednesday in a California court by the 85-year-old singer and his wife Frances Robinson, names four anonymous women identified only as Jane Doe 1 through 4.
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In their filing, the Robinsons allege that the women made false claims of sexual misconduct as part of a scheme to extort money from the couple. The countersuit follows a May 6 complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, in which the four women accused Robinson of pressuring them into sex over a period dating back to 2006.
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Their 27-page lawsuit, which remains sealed under pseudonyms, alleges that they refrained from speaking out earlier due to fears of losing their jobs, a backlash, embarrassment, and concerns over immigration status.
In response, Robinson's legal team not only filed the defamation countersuit but also submitted a motion to dismiss the original claims. His attorneys argue that the plaintiffs should not be allowed to remain anonymous, citing a lack of legal grounds to withhold their identities.
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'The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of plaintiffs; they treated plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity,' the couple's lawsuit states.
The couple further claim that the women were not merely staff members but were included in family trips and holiday celebrations, painting a picture of a long-standing and seemingly personal relationship.
'They fabricated their allegations and filed a legally and factually deficient complaint to harass and extort a beloved and respected public figure,' the lawsuit alleges.
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The women's original civil case seeks at least £38 million in damages for each count, of which they are 11.The women are of Hispanic descent, and the claims include multiple alleged incidents of sexual misconduct over nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has launched a criminal investigation into the allegations. The Tears of a Clown hitmaker, through his attorney, has denied all claims and said he welcomed the inquiry.
'Exposure to the truth is a powerful thing,' he said. Robinson's attorney said the criminal complaint and civil suit are financially motivated.
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'They are after his money,' the lawyer said, reiterating that the singer has done nothing wrong.
Robinson is one of the most celebrated artists in American music history.
A founding member of Motown Records, he was responsible for some of the label's biggest early hits, including 'My Girl' for The Temptations and 'My Guy' for Mary Wells.
As both a solo artist and songwriter, he has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is credited with writing or co-writing more than 4,000 songs.