In a shocking legal development, iconic Motown singer Smokey Robinson has initiated a $500 million defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of sexual assault. The suit, lodged with the California courts by both Robinson and his wife Frances, asserts that the allegations are not just false, but also damaging to their reputations and based on an intent to extort.
The plaintiffs, who filed anonymously under the names Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, allege that incidents of sexual coercion date back to 2006. They state that the singer pressured them into unwanted sexual encounters and claim various threats, including fears of impact on their livelihoods and immigration status, contributed to their silence until now. They are seeking $50 million in damages alongside a request for a jury trial.
Robinson, who is under criminal investigation for separate sexual assault claims in Los Angeles, vehemently denies all allegations. His legal team has described the accusers’ actions as malicious and opportunistic. Furthermore, they filed a motion aimed at unmasking the plaintiffs' true identities, arguing that the anonymity granted to them is unjustified.
Throughout the years, Robinson has made significant contributions to the music industry, launching hits for artists such as Mary Wells and The Temptations and establishing a legacy in both the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame. His case continues as the counterclaims unfold, with the world watching to see how this scandal will impact his storied career.
The plaintiffs, who filed anonymously under the names Jane Doe 1, 2, 3, and 4, allege that incidents of sexual coercion date back to 2006. They state that the singer pressured them into unwanted sexual encounters and claim various threats, including fears of impact on their livelihoods and immigration status, contributed to their silence until now. They are seeking $50 million in damages alongside a request for a jury trial.
Robinson, who is under criminal investigation for separate sexual assault claims in Los Angeles, vehemently denies all allegations. His legal team has described the accusers’ actions as malicious and opportunistic. Furthermore, they filed a motion aimed at unmasking the plaintiffs' true identities, arguing that the anonymity granted to them is unjustified.
Throughout the years, Robinson has made significant contributions to the music industry, launching hits for artists such as Mary Wells and The Temptations and establishing a legacy in both the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame. His case continues as the counterclaims unfold, with the world watching to see how this scandal will impact his storied career.
