Judge dismisses Smokey Robinson's defamation claim against rape accusers

EPA

A US judge has dismissed veteran singer Smokey Robinson's defamation claim against four former housekeepers who have accused him of sexual assault.

The women sued the Motown star, 86, last year for sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence, and police opened an investigation.

He denied the "vile, false allegations" and filed a $500m (£370m) countersuit, claiming he was defamed by the women and their lawyers calling him a "serial and sick rapist" at a press conference.

On Thursday, the judge ruled there wasn't sufficient "clear and convincing" evidence that the women made the accusation with "actual malice", as is required when a public figure is suing for defamation in California.

To prove "actual malice", a figure must show that the person who made the statement knew it was false or had serious doubts that it was true.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile said there was some "evidence supporting the Robinsons", but "the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard".

Although he ended the defamation claim, the judge did not dismiss Robinson's countersuit completely, allowing other elements to continue, including emotional distress and financial elder abuse.

John Harris, the lawyer for the unnamed accusers, described the ruling as "a powerful and unequivocal victory for our clients and for survivors everywhere who refuse to be silenced".

He said: "The court saw this $500m countersuit for what it is - a blatant, retaliatory attempt to intimidate, discredit, and punish women for speaking out about sexual assault."

In their $50m (£37m) lawsuit, the women - all just known as Jane Doe in the court documents - also accused Robinson's wife Frances of failing to take action to prevent the alleged behaviour.

The Robinsons' lawyer Christopher Frost said they believed the latest ruling was "incorrect" because there is "plenty of evidence of actual malice on the part of the attorneys".

He added: "More fundamentally, our focus remains on showing that the Jane Does' claims are untrue and fabricated."

In May 2025, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department launched a criminal investigation into the allegations against Robinson. No charges have been brought.

Robinson was Motown's first hitmaker, writing number one records like Mary Wells' My Guy and The Temptations' My Girl.

He was both a talent scout for the legendary record label and one of its most prominent recording artists in his own right, known for songs like Tracks of My Tears, Shop Around and Tears of a Clown.

He has spots in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and claims to have credits on more than 4,000 songs.