A Los Angeles judge has dismissed several claims from Smokey Robinson's $500 million countersuit against women who publicly accused him of sexual assault, ruling that the women's allegations were a matter of public interest and that Robinson failed to show they acted with "actual malice."
The decision, issued this week, struck down major defamation claims brought by the legendary Motown singer and his wife, Frances. However, the judge allowed some parts of the countersuit to proceed, including allegations that the accusers' employees stole personal property and deleted information from the Robinsons' phones.
The women, identified as Jane Does, held a press conference that was broadcast on YouTube and spread across social media, drawing worldwide media attention. The court found that Robinson did not meet the legal standard to prove the women knowingly made false statements.
John Harris, attorney for the Jane Does, called the ruling a "powerful and unequivocal victory" for his clients, clearing the way for their sexual assault case against Robinson to move forward.
Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, expressed disagreement with the ruling, stating, "Obviously we believe the Court's ruling is incorrect in the claims it did dismiss." He added that there is "plenty of evidence of actual malice" by the women's attorneys and that their focus remains on proving the accusations are "untrue and fabricated." Frost also highlighted language in the ruling noting "inconsistencies" in the women's testimony.
The legal battle continues as both sides prepare for further proceedings.