Smokey Robinson's $500M Defamation Suit Dismissed in Part

A judge in Los Angeles has thrown out Smokey Robinson's defamation lawsuit against four former housekeepers who accused him of sexual assault, citing a lack of proof of actual malice. The women, referred to as Jane Does, filed a lawsuit in 2024 against the 86-year-old Motown legend for charges including sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence, and gender violence. In response, Robinson filed a countersuit for $500 million, claiming defamation after the women’s attorneys labeled him a “serial and sick rapist” during a press event. Judge Kevin Brazile acknowledged some supporting evidence for Robinson but deemed it insufficient for the stringent standard for public figures in California. Other aspects of his countersuit, such as emotional distress and financial elder abuse, will continue. Additionally, the women's lawsuit implicates Robinson's wife, Frances, for her lack of action. A criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was initiated in May 2025, but no charges have been brought. Robinson, known for hits like "My Girl" and "Tracks of My Tears," is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.