Iconic soul singer Smokey Robinson, 85, has filed a $500 million countersuit against four former employees who accused him of sexual battery and rape earlier this month, claiming that their allegations were part of an “extortionate scheme.” The cross-complaint, filed in a Los Angeles court Wednesday, accuses the women, former housekeepers, and their attorneys of slander, emotional distress, and financial elder abuse. It further describes their assault allegations as “fabricated in support of their extortionate scheme.” The suit claims that the four employees made pre-litigation demands for $100 million or more and decided to create “a media circus” when their demands were not met instead. Earlier this month, the four women, who maintained anonymity, filed a $50 million civil lawsuit alleging that they were subject to sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence while working for the Motown legend up until last year. However, Robinson’s camp has denied such allegations. In addition to filing a countersuit, Robinson has also filed a motion to strike the women’s suit to have them refile using their real names, according to Variety.
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