Latest news with #Harris&Hayden
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson's accusers blast his $500-million countersuit as 'attempt to silence and intimidate'
Smokey Robinson may face more legal heat from the four former employees who accused the Motown legend of sexual assault and failure to pay overtime earlier this month. Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden, who represent Robinson's accusers, said in a statement to The Times on Thursday that their firm will fire back at the singer's $500-million countersuit, "filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety." California's anti-SLAPP law protects against frivolous lawsuits. "[The countersuit] is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault," said the founding partners of the Harris & Hayden law firm. "It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward." Robinson, sued by the former employees on May 6, filed his countercomplaint Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Attorneys for the singer, 85, and his wife Frances Robinson — who is a co-defendant — sued the four accusers and their legal representatives for defamation, false light, financial elder abuse and invasion of privacy, among other counts, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times. Read more: Smokey Robinson sued for $50 million as ex-employees allege sexual assault, failure to pay overtime The singer's legal filing includes alleged text message exchanges and photos with his accusers that depict a different dynamic than the one described in their initial lawsuit. The employees, who withheld their identities and worked for the high-profile couple during different periods from October 2006 to April 2024, alleged in their $50-million lawsuit that the singer sexually assaulted them on multiple occasions and failed to pay them properly for hours worked. They also claimed Frances Robinson berated them. According to the counterclaim, the former employees had "stayed with the Robinsons year after year," "vacationed together" with the singer's wife and were treated "as extended family." Despite this, the spouses believed the former employees "harbored resentment" and "sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth," the complaint claims. The counterclaim cites "allegations Plaintiffs have recently fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme" and comments the accusers' lawyers allegedly made during a May 6 press conference. The singer also claims his opposition "participated in a conspiracy to unlawfully enrich themselves at the Robinsons' expense," legal documents say. Read more: Smokey Robinson's attorney: Lawsuit is an 'ugly method' to get money from 'an America icon' Harris and Hayden said the countersuit "mischaracterizes the facts and seeks to punish his victims for speaking out. "[Plaintiffs] remain committed to seeking justice — not only for themselves but for all survivors who have been silenced by fear of retaliation," the attorneys added. "This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others.' In addition to the counterclaim, Robinson's legal team filed a motion to strike the accusers' initial lawsuit, finding issue with their decision to remain anonymous. "Plaintiffs' concealment of their identities is prejudicing the Robinsons' defense," the motion alleges. Earlier this month, Robinson's attorney Christopher Frost dismissed the sexual assault lawsuit as an "ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon," dubbing the allegations 'vile' and 'false." For the most part, the singer has kept tight-lipped about the case, which sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He offered a brief response to the Daily Mail earlier this month: 'I am appalled." Times assistant editor Christie D'Zurilla contributed to this report. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Smokey Robinson's accusers blast his $500-million countersuit as ‘attempt to silence and intimidate'
Smokey Robinson may face more legal heat from the four former employees who accused the Motown legend of sexual assault and failure to pay overtime earlier this month. Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden, who represent Robinson's accusers, said in a statement to The Times on Thursday that their firm will fire back at the singer's $500-million countersuit, 'filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety.' California's anti-SLAPP law protects against frivolous lawsuits. '[The countersuit] is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault,' said the founding partners of the Harris & Hayden law firm. 'It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward.' Robinson, sued by the former employees on May 6, filed his countercomplaint Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Attorneys for the singer, 85, and his wife Frances Robinson — who is a co-defendant — sued the four accusers and their legal representatives for defamation, false light, financial elder abuse and invasion of privacy, among other counts, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times. The singer's legal filing includes alleged text message exchanges and photos with his accusers that depict a different dynamic than the one described in their initial lawsuit. The employees, who withheld their identities and worked for the high-profile couple during different periods from October 2006 to April 2024, alleged in their $50-million lawsuit that the singer sexually assaulted them on multiple occasions and failed to pay them properly for hours worked. They also claimed Frances Robinson berated them. According to the counterclaim, the former employees had 'stayed with the Robinsons year after year,' 'vacationed together' with the singer's wife and were treated 'as extended family.' Despite this, the spouses believed the former employees 'harbored resentment' and 'sought to enrich themselves through the Robinsons' wealth,' the complaint claims. The counterclaim cites 'allegations Plaintiffs have recently fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme' and comments the accusers' lawyers allegedly made during a May 6 press conference. The singer also claims his opposition 'participated in a conspiracy to unlawfully enrich themselves at the Robinsons' expense,' legal documents say. Harris and Hayden said the countersuit 'mischaracterizes the facts and seeks to punish his victims for speaking out. '[Plaintiffs] remain committed to seeking justice — not only for themselves but for all survivors who have been silenced by fear of retaliation,' the attorneys added. 'This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others.' In addition to the counterclaim, Robinson's legal team filed a motion to strike the accusers' initial lawsuit, finding issue with their decision to remain anonymous. 'Plaintiffs' concealment of their identities is prejudicing the Robinsons' defense,' the motion alleges. Earlier this month, Robinson's attorney Christopher Frost dismissed the sexual assault lawsuit as an 'ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon,' dubbing the allegations 'vile' and 'false.' For the most part, the singer has kept tight-lipped about the case, which sparked a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He offered a brief response to the Daily Mail earlier this month: 'I am appalled.' Times assistant editor Christie D'Zurilla contributed to this report.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Smokey Robinson files $500m counterclaim lawsuit against accusers
Motown legend Smokey Robinson has launched a $500 million defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who earlier this month accused him of sexual assault and abuse spanning more than a decade. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, the suit alleges that the women – identified in the original filing as Jane Does 1–4 – fabricated their allegations to extort the 85-year-old singer. Robinson's legal team has also filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the assault lawsuit, arguing it was improperly submitted under false names. Robinson, whose career spans hits such as 'The Tracks of My Tears' and 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me,' has denied all claims of misconduct. The women, all of Hispanic descent, allege they were repeatedly assaulted while employed as housekeepers at the singer's Chatsworth residence between 2012 and 2024. Their lawsuit, filed earlier in May, is seeking at least $50 million in damages and accuses Robinson's wife, Frances, of complicity in the alleged abuse and of using ethnically derogatory language. One woman alleges Robinson assaulted her at least 23 times between 2014 and 2020, often in areas without surveillance. Another says the singer performed a ritual involving appearing nearly naked and placing a towel on his bed prior to alleged assaults. Two others describe similar experiences, with one claiming seven incidents over 13 months of employment. Robinson's defamation complaint names the four Jane Does, their attorney John Harris, his law partner Herbert Hayden, and their Los Angeles-based firm Harris & Hayden. The lawsuit singles out Harris's statements during the press conference, in which he labelled Robinson a 'serial and sick rapist.' In response, Harris and Hayden dismissed the defamation action as a 'baseless and vindictive legal manoeuvre' designed to 're-victimise' survivors. They announced plans to file a motion under California's anti-SLAPP statute, which protects individuals from lawsuits intended to suppress free speech on public matters. Earlier, it was also reported that Robinson is under criminal investigation in Los Angeles, though no charges have been filed to date. Robinson has previously stated he welcomed the inquiry, asserting, 'exposure to the truth is a powerful thing.' Robinson's civil suit claims defamation, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. He is seeking damages of no less than $500 million.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson accused by former housekeepers of sexual assault
STORY: :: File Legendary Motown musician Smokey Robinson faces allegations of sexual assault- -from housekeepers who sued him on Tuesday for $50 million. His wife, Frances is also accused of covering up the abuse and verbally abusing employees with racial slurs. Robinson's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Reuters could not verify the claims. The plaintiffs are four Hispanic women using Jane Doe pseudonyms in the lawsuit. They accused 85-year-old Robinson of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence at his Los Angeles home from 2007 to 2024. Three of them appeared wearing face masks at a Los Angeles press conference, while the fourth joined remotely. John Harris is an attorney at Harris & Hayden law firm. "These courageous four women have collectively decided to come forward and share their experiences of being assaulted by Mr. Smokey Robinson, and stand up for their rights, as well as the rights of other women." Harris explained the delay in reporting, emphasizing the women's financial and emotional struggles. "The obvious question that one will ask, and I suspect most will, why didn't they report Robinson's criminal misconduct to law enforcement or go public before now? As I said before, these women were all low, low wage earners living from paycheck to paycheck. They all feared missing a payday and not being able to pay their rent or buy food for their families. Also, Smokey's Robinson celebrity status intimidated them in or made them feel powerless." Jane Doe 1 accused Robinson of sexually assaulting her at least seven times, with the last incident on February 17, 2024, two days before his 84th birthday. The other plaintiffs made similar claims, with Jane Does 2 and 3 alleging at least 20 assaults each. Their lawyers said they welcome a criminal investigation but haven't heard from prosecutors. Representatives of Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. :: File Robinson rose to fame in the 1960s as the singer of 'Tears of a Clown' and a key figure in Motown's rise. He recorded over 30 hits solo and with The Miracles, a group of his Detroit schoolmates.
