Earlier this month, four former employees of 85-year-old Motown veteran Smokey Robinson filed a lawsuit accusing the singer of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. Now, Robinson has filed a countersuit against the plaintiffs, accusing them of defamation and seeking $500 million in damages.

According to court documents obtained by Pitchfork, Robinson also filed a motion to dismiss the women’s lawsuit on the basis that they did not file under their legal names (the women filed their suit anonymously). Robinson’s countersuit and motion to dismiss were filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court; the former document accuses plaintiffs of “avarice and greed,” stating that the four women are “concocting an extortionate plan to take everything from the Robinsons” in an attempt to wrongfully destroy the Robinsons’ well-built reputations.”

The original lawsuit was brought forth by a personal assistant and three former housekeepers for Robinson. They allege that they were raped and sexually assaulted by Robinson dozens of times at his various homes in California and Las Vegas during their tenure as his employees. The complaint states that the women all worked for Robinson for varying spans between 2006 and 2024. They are seeking $50 million in damages.

The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit anonymously for fear of repercussions. The women’s attorney, John W. Harris, said in a May 6 news conference that they are all Hispanic women who earn below minimum wage. “As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults,” Harris told The New York Times. The women also feared that coming forward with the allegations would threaten their immigration status, per the lawsuit.

In addition to sexual assault, the lawsuit accuses Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, of false imprisonment and multiple labor violations. Robinson’s lawyer Christopher Frost has called the allegations against his client “false” and “vile.”

In Robinson’s new countersuit, the singer’s legal team claims that plaintiffs are close friends of the Robinsons, stating that they “stayed with the Robinsons year after year,” vacationed with the Robinsons, and accepted financial help and gifts throughout the years. Robinson’s complaint also mentioned plaintiffs wishing him a happy birthday via text message, as well as an invitation to the graduation dinner of one plaintiff’s son.

When reached by Pitchfork, lawyers for the four women accusing Robinson of sexual assault wrote:

The cross-complaint filed by Mr. Christopher Frost on behalf of William “Smokey” Robinson and Frances Robinson, is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson’s sexual battery and assault. It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward. This type of retaliatory litigation is precisely what California’s anti-SLAPP laws were enacted to prevent.

Jane Does 1-4 exercised their fundamental constitutional right to seek redress through the courts by filing a civil action to expose and hold accountable behavior that no one should have to endure. In response, Mr. Robinson, filed a cross-complaint that mischaracterizes the facts and seeks to punish his victims for speaking out.

This cross-complaint will not stand. We are filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety and will seek attorneys’ fees and costs for having to defend against this abusive tactic.

Jane Does 1-4 remain committed to seeking justice—not only for themselves but for all survivors who have been silenced by fear of retaliation. This case is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that power is not used to harm or suppress others.

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened a criminal investigation into the allegations brought forth by Robinson’s former employees.

Robinson’s attorneys offered no additional comment when reached by Pitchfork.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)

Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741