LOS ANGELES – Music legend Smokey Robinson and his wife Frances have filed a cross-complaint accusing four former employees of defamation, following a sexual assault and hostile work environment lawsuit filed against them earlier this month.
The cross-complaint, filed on May 28 and reviewed by USA TODAY, describes the women’s allegations as “fabricated” and part of an “extortionate scheme.” The Robinsons also filed a motion to strike the lawsuit, arguing that the four accusers—listed anonymously as Jane Does 1 through 4—did not receive court approval to conceal their identities.
“The Robinsons can only make assumptions about the identity of each” woman, their motion states.
In the filing, the Robinsons claim the women maintained friendly relationships with the couple, participated in holidays and vacations, received concert tickets, and even sent positive text messages to Smokey Robinson. One of the accusers was reportedly so trusted that she was named in Frances Robinson’s will.
“The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of Plaintiffs,” the filing reads. “They treated Plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity.”
The Robinsons’ legal team has asked the court to compel the plaintiffs to reveal their identities, arguing that the seriousness of the accusations—threatening the couple’s reputation and livelihood—warrants transparency.
Accusers’ Lawyers Respond: “An Attempt to Intimidate”
Attorneys for the four women, John Harris and Herbert Hayden, criticized the cross-complaint, calling it “baseless and vindictive.” They said the filing is meant to “silence and intimidate the survivors.”
“This is nothing more than an attempt to punish Mr. Robinson’s victims for speaking out,” the attorneys said in a statement. “It is a retaliatory legal maneuver designed to shift blame, re-victimize the plaintiffs, and discourage others from coming forward.”
Harris and Hayden said they plan to file an anti-SLAPP motion to strike the cross-complaint, citing California laws that protect individuals who speak out on matters of public interest. They also plan to seek attorneys’ fees and costs for defending against what they called “abusive litigation.”
Criminal Investigation Underway
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it is investigating the 85-year-old singer. “The Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson, also known as Smokey Robinson,” the department said in a statement on May 15.
Robinson’s attorney, Christopher Frost, said the singer welcomes the investigation and is confident it will clear him of wrongdoing.
Allegations of Sexual Assault and Hostile Workplace
In the original lawsuit, filed May 6, the four women allege that Robinson sexually assaulted them multiple times at his Los Angeles-area home while they were working as housekeepers. Each said they eventually left their jobs because of the alleged abuse.
Some of the women said they feared retaliation or immigration-related consequences if they reported the incidents.
The lawsuit also accuses Frances Robinson of enabling a hostile work environment and failing to intervene, despite allegedly knowing about her husband’s behavior.
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