Smokey Robinson Files $500M Defamation Countersuit Against Sexual Assault Accusers

Published: May 28, 2025

Smokey Robinson, 85, and his wife Frances have hit back at his sexual assault accusers in a new $500 million cross-complaint accusing the four women and their legal counsel of defaming the singer at a press conference.

In the cross-complaint, which was filed on Wednesday, May 28 and obtained by PEOPLE, Robinson accuses the plaintiffs of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, financial elder abuse, and more, saying they made "gratuitous and slanderous allegations" at a May 6 press conference described as a "media circus."

John Harris, an attorney for the unnamed women, declared Robinson a "serial and sick rapist" at the press conference, during which the accusers appeared in sunglasses and masks to protect their identities.

“The statements were false, and Plaintiffs knew them to be false,” the cross-complaint says. “Nevertheless, they made the statements, and undoubtedly many people believe the statements to be true.”

The Motown singer was sued by the four Jane Does on May 6 for $50 million, claiming that he "repeatedly forced his fingers and penis into their vaginas, causing severe and excruciating pain without consent, per the complaint.

Robinson's wife Frances, whom he married in 2002, was also named in the complaint, as the plaintiffs allege that she had "full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct" and "failed to take the appropriate corrective action" to prevent his "deviant misconduct," even after allegedly settling cases with other women who experienced similar alleged assaults by her husband.

In the cross-complaint, the Robinsons claim to have treated their employees as "extended family," citing photos and text messages of the women spending holidays and vacations with the couple.

The cross-complaint accuses the plaintiffs of "concocting an extortionate plan to take everything" from the Robinsons, who claim that the initial lawsuit was only filed after the couple rejected the women's demands of $100 million.

“Ms. Robinson is distraught, not only because of the baseless allegations in the Complaint, but also because she has been inexplicably and innumerably betrayed,” the cross-complaint says.

The couple also alleges financial elder abuse, as they claim the plaintiffs "caused the Robinsons, who are senior citizens, loss of income and assets set aside for retirement or for personal or family care and maintenance."

Meanwhile, Robinson also filed a motion to strike the initial complaint, as the star's lawyers allege the plaintiffs cannot file anonymously, as it is "prejudicing the Robinsons' defense" and "misleading the public."