Smokey Robinson Hits Back With $500M Countersuit Over Rape Accusations
Smokey Robinson is fighting back.
The 85-year-old R&B legend has filed a massive $500 million countersuit against four former housekeepers who earlier this month accused him of sexual battery, assault, and false imprisonment in a lawsuit that spans allegations from 2007 to 2024. Robinson’s wife of 23 years, Frances Robinson, was also named in the original filing.
Robinson's countersuit, filed Wednesday (May 28), is claiming defamation and elder abuse, asserting that the accusations were part of a calculated scheme by the women and their attorney, John W. Harris, Variety reports.
“This extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons” aimed to “wrongfully destroy” their reputation, the filing states.
Robinson has maintained that the claims are baseless, emphasizing that he and his wife treated the women “as extended family.” The couple reportedly also covered the housekeepers’ dental work, vacations, clothing, and other expenses during their employment.
Backing their position, the Robinsons' countersuit highlights evidence of a previously warm relationship with the accusers.
One of the women allegedly deleted text messages and photos from Frances Robinson’s phone. In another example cited in the filing, a February 2020 message from one housekeeper read, “Happy birthday God bless you have a wonderful Birthday love you,” according to Rolling Stone.
Robinson and his legal team are also challenging the anonymity of the women, requesting that the court require them to refile the complaint under their legal names. The original suit had sought $50 million in damages.
Earlier this month, Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, flatly denied the allegations. “This is a transparent attempt to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon,” he said at the time. While the case is just beginning to unfold, Robinson’s response makes clear he doesn’t plan to back down quietly.
