Smokey Robinson and his wife, Francis, filed a $500 million countersuit last year against four unnamed women who allege the "Shop Around" singer sexually assaulted them.
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The complaint, filed on May 28, 2025, accuses the former employees of Robinson of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, financial elder abuse, and more.
There was an update in that case yesterday. We have the details below.
What Happened in the Case Involving Smokey Robinson?
PEOPLE reports that on Thursday, April 23, Judge Kevin C. Brazile dismissed the defamation claims against the four women who sued Robinson.
Court documents state that there was not sufficient evidence to hold the women and their lawyer liable. They called the singer a "serial and sick rapist" at a press conference last year. The judge said the Robinsons weren't able to prove the plaintiffs acted with "actual malice" during the press conference, according to California's Anti-SLAPP law.
"There is evidence supporting the Robinsons, including inconsistencies and unusual circumstances, like encouraging a sister to work after the assaults. However, the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard," the judge said.
The lawyer for the four women, John W. Harris, then said in a statement that the dismissal "stands as a powerful and unequivocal victory for our clients and for survivors everywhere who refuse to be silenced."
Christopher Frost, a lawyer for the Robinsons, said the couple believes "the Court's ruling is incorrect in the claims it did dismiss."
He added, "There is plenty of evidence of actual malice on the part of the attorneys."
Why Is Smokey Robinson Being Sued?
On May 6, 2025, the four women employed by Robinson sued the legendary Motown singer for $50 million. The suit includes graphic details of sexual assault.
Robinson's wife was also named in the lawsuit. It alleged that she had "full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct." It also states she "failed to take the appropriate corrective action" to prevent his "deviant misconduct."
The women state that they did not report Robinson's abuse to authorities for fear of "losing their livelihood, familial reprisal, public embarrassment, shame, and humiliation. They add they felt "threatened and intimidated" by Robinson's status as a celebrity.
In November 2025, two new accusations of sexual battery against Robinson were made. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, responded by denying the allegations and calling the entire lawsuit an "organized, avaricious campaign." A trial is currently scheduled for October 2027.
