Smokey Robinson Hits Back with $500M Elder Abuse & Defamation Countersuit
Cutting through the courthouse drama, Smokey Robinson has delivered a bold legal riposte against his alleged tormentors. In a Los Angeles Superior Court filing dated March 15, the Motown icon countersued his former personal assistant and that assistant’s son for a staggering $500 million, accusing them of elder abuse, defamation and financial exploitation. This move comes just two months after Robinson, now 84, faced accusations that he’d been overmedicated and coerced into signing checks totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Robinson’s countersuit paints a vivid portrait of alleged manipulation: according to court papers obtained by Variety, the defendants “isolated” the singer, leveraged a power of attorney to arrange suspicious bank transfers and impeded his contact with close friends. In turn, the Platinum-certified songwriter refutes every slanderous claim, insisting that those very checks were part of legitimate expenses he personally approved. The filing also chronicles text messages and personal emails—entered as exhibits—where Robinson politely but firmly rebuffs escalating demands for cash.
Key passages of the countersuit, reported by TMZ, emphasize Robinson’s outrage at purportedly false statements spread on social media and recounted to mutual acquaintances. He alleges the defamation campaign sought to “tarnish his legacy and exploit his reputation for personal gain.” Peeling back the layers, People Magazine highlights that Robinson is seeking not only compensatory damages for reputational harm but also punitive awards to “deter similar predatory conduct in the future.”
Legal experts note the high stakes. Entertainment lawyer Maria Chen tells The Hollywood Reporter that Robinson’s $500 million figure isn’t just about dollars; it’s a strategy to shift the narrative back to his favor and to signal that he won’t be intimidated by bad-faith actors. Public reaction has been mixed—some longtime fans express relief that Robinson is vigorously defending himself, while others are curious to see if this countersuit will spur more insider revelations. Either way, the case is now scheduled for a July hearing, where preliminary motions will determine the scope of discovery.
Behind the headlines, Robinson continues to record new music and prepare for a summer tour, underscoring his determination not to let this legal maelstrom overshadow his artistry. Friends close to the singer tell Variety they’ve never seen him more resolute. As Robinson’s legal team gears up to exchange evidence, the public waits for the next twist: will Robinson’s countersuit topple his accusers’ case, or will new revelations emerge in this high-dollar showdown?
And there you have it—make of that what you will, but one thing’s certain: Smokey Robinson is not going quietly into that good night.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, TMZ, People Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
