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Smokey Robinson files defamation suit against former housekeepers accusing him of sexual assault

The Motown singer and his wife have denied the allegations from the outset and say the claimants have fabricated their account for the purpose of extortion

Retaining anonymity, the women characterised Robinson, 85, as a “serial and sick rapist” who had assaulted them on multiple occasions between 2007 and 2024 at three different locations. “We believe she was aware of the misconduct by her husband … and that she used their status as well as our clients’ reliance on their living wage in order to keep them in check,” said lawyer Herbert Hayden. Robinson was one of the first stars of Motown, with hits to his name such as The Tears of a Clown, with his group the Miracles – and as a songwriter for the likes of Marvin Gaye and the Temptations.

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