• Smokey Robinson countersues four housekeepers for $500 million over claims of sexual assault.
• The counterclaim labels the allegations as "fabricated" and part of an extortion scheme.
• The women accuse Robinson of repeated sexual assaults over several years.
• Robinson's team seeks to dismiss the original lawsuit on anonymity grounds.
• A criminal investigation into the allegations is ongoing in Los Angeles.

Motown icon Smokey Robinson has filed a $500 million defamation countersuit against four former housekeepers who allege sexual assault and other abuses. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, claims the accusers fabricated the allegations to execute an "extortionate scheme" against him and his wife, Frances Robinson. The countersuit asserts that the Robinsons treated the women with kindness and generosity, including taking them on family vacations and providing financial assistance, according to HuffPost and BBC.

The accusers, who initially filed their lawsuit anonymously on May 6, claim that Robinson assaulted them multiple times over the course of their employment, which spanned from 2006 to 2024. They are seeking at least $50 million in damages. Notably, three of the accusers reportedly worked for Robinson during a prior 2015 case which did not result in any charges due to insufficient evidence, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, according to Los Angeles Times and New York Times.

In response to the countersuit, the accusers' legal representation has condemned the move as an attempt to intimidate and silence them. Attorneys John Harris and Herbert Hayden stated that it is a “baseless and vindictive maneuver” aimed at shifting blame and discouraging other victims from coming forward. They expressed their commitment to seeking justice for their clients and affording a voice to survivors, according to Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

In parallel, Robinson’s legal team has initiated a motion to dismiss the women's lawsuit, arguing that the anonymity granted to the plaintiffs undermines their ability to mount an effective defense. Throughout this process, Robinson, who is noted for his extensive contributions to music, has maintained his denial of all allegations, asserting that he is a victim of a smear campaign aimed to harm his legacy, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.