Smokey Robinson information $500m defamation case in opposition to rape accusers

Motown legend Smokey Robinson has filed a $500m (£370m) defamation lawsuit in opposition to 4 former housekeepers who’ve accused the singer of sexual assault.

The authorized case filed by the star and his spouse Frances on Wednesday in California accused the ladies of fabricating the sexual assault allegations as a part of an “extortionate” lawsuit.

The Robinsons say the alleged victims, who filed their case anonomously, went on household holidays with the couple and celebrated holidays collectively.

The singer, who’s now additionally underneath legal investigation in Los Angeles over accusations of sexual assault, has denied all the allegations, and his lawyer mentioned these behind the accusations have been after his cash.

Mr Robinson’s legal professionals additionally filed a movement to dismiss the ladies’s lawsuit, arguing they need to not have been granted anonymity.

“The Robinsons didn’t abuse, hurt, or benefit from plaintiffs; they handled plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity,” the lawsuit states.

The ladies filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court docket on 6 Might underneath the pseudonyms Jane Doe 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Within the 27-page authorized motion, they alleged a number of incidents that they mentioned dated again to 2006, and accused Mr Robinson of pressuring them into intercourse.

All 4 girls, who’re of Hispanic descent, mentioned they’d not come ahead till now as a result of they feared dropping their livelihoods, familial reprisal or embarrassment. Some have been involved the allegations may have an effect on their immigration standing.

They’re looking for a minimum of $50m (£38m) in damages and a jury trial.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division then opened its investigation, which the 85-year-old singer mentioned on the time he welcomed “as a result of publicity to the reality is a robust factor”.

Mr Robinson was Motown’s first hitmaker, writing primary data like Mary Wells’ My Man and The Temptations’ My Lady.

He was each a expertise scout for the report label and one in every of its most outstanding recording artists in his personal proper, recognized for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Store Round and Tears of a Clown.

He has spots in each the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame and the Songwriters Corridor of Fame, and claims to have credit on greater than 4,000 songs.