Smokey Robinson Countersues Ex-Employee, Insists He Treated Staff “Like Family”
Consider this your front-row briefing. Smokey Robinson isn’t taking allegations lying down. The Motown legend filed a countersuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 28, 2025, directly challenging claims from a former employee who accused him of unpaid wages and hostile work conditions. According to court papers obtained by Billboard and TMZ, Robinson’s legal team labels the initial suit “baseless” and “malicious,” insisting that he went above and beyond industry standards to nurture his staff.
In the countersuit, Robinson’s attorneys detail a long history of perks provided to the complainant and other team members: health insurance premiums covered in full, round-trip tour accommodations, end-of-year bonuses tied to album sales, and annual holiday gatherings at his Beverly Hills home. One internal memo, cited by People Magazine, outlines Robinson’s directive to award employees “family-style” profit shares— a gesture he says was intended to foster loyalty and morale.
The original lawsuit, filed in April, claimed unpaid overtime during a West Coast tour and alleged verbal intimidation by Robinson’s management. But the countersuit turns the tables with an affidavit from Robinson’s longtime tour manager, who testifies that every disputed hour was logged in payroll records and that Robinson personally intervened whenever a staffing concern arose. Public records filed on May 28 show copies of signed time sheets, emailed approvals for overtime, and text messages from Robinson thanking staff for “holding down the fort” on nights off.
Legal experts interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter note that countersuits of this nature serve both as a financial deterrent and a public relations shield. Entertainment attorney Lisa Chang tells THR that by airing these documents, Robinson not only seeks to reclaim lost wages from the initial plaintiff but also to solidify his reputation as a benevolent employer. Meanwhile, the original plaintiff’s counsel disputes the new claims, promising a “vigorous defense” and hinting at additional witnesses who will back the overtime allegations.
As the two sides gear up for a potential courtroom showdown later this year, fans and industry insiders alike are watching to see if Smokey’s countersuit will quash the dispute or ignite a protracted legal battle. One thing’s clear: the Soul icon is determined to protect both his finances and his legacy. And there you have it—judge for yourself how this legal drama will unfold.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, TMZ
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
