Frances andSmokey Robinsonare accusing four women,who'd filed a lawsuitalleging sexual assault and a hostile work environment, of defamation. In a cross-complaint, dated May 28 and reviewed by USA TODAY, lawyers for the couple struck back against what they called "fabricated" sexual assault allegations from the Robinsons' former employees that were made "in support of their extortionate scheme." They also filed a motion to strike the anonymous accusers' May 6 lawsuit on the grounds that they used fictitious names (Jane Does 1-4) without receiving prior court approval. The Robinsons "can only make assumptions about the identity of each" accuser, the motion reads. The Robinsons' lawyers attempted to deflect the purported victims' claims by alleging they participated in trips and vacations with the couple, celebrated holidays together, received concert tickets and sent at least a few positive text messages to Smokey Robinson. One of the accusers "held such a position of absolute trust that she was even named in Ms. Robinson's will," per the cross-complaint. "The Robinsons did not abuse, harm, or take advantage of Plaintiffs; they treated Plaintiffs with the utmost kindness and generosity," their cross-complaint contends. In the motion to strike Does' complaint, the Robinsons' lawyers requested, "In a matter of this magnitude, involving the Robinsons' liberty, reputation, livelihood, and well-being, the Court should absolutely err on the side of revealing Plaintiffs' identities." 'Repeated sexual assaults':Details of the lawsuit against Smokey Robinson John Harris and Herbert Hayden, the Jane Does' attorneys, denounced the Robinsons' legal moves as "a baseless and vindictive" and attempt to "intimidate the survivors." "The cross-complaint ... is nothing more than an attempt to silence and intimidate the survivors of Mr. Robinson's sexual battery and assault. It is a baseless and vindictive legal maneuver designed to re-victimize, shift blame and discourage others from coming forward," Harris and Hayden said in a statement provided to USA TODAY. "This type of retaliatory litigation is precisely what California's anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) laws were enacted to prevent." Victim blaming:Experts explain why people can struggle to leave abusers The accusers "exercised their fundamental constitutional right to seek redress through the courts by filing a civil action to expose and hold accountable behavior that no one should have to endure. In response, Mr. Robinson, filed a cross-complaint that mischaracterizes the facts and seeks to punish his victims for speaking out," the statement continued."This cross-complaint will not stand. We are filing an anti-SLAPP motion to strike it in its entirety and will seek attorneys' fees and costs for having to defend against this abusive tactic." More than a week after Does' lawsuit, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Departmentopened an investigationinto the85-year-old singer. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau is actively investigating criminal allegations involving William Robinson AKA 'Smokey Robinson,'" an LASD spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY on May 15. In a statement to USA TODAY, Smokey Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, said they "welcome" this investigation and "feel confident" that the R&B and soul singer would be cleared of wrongdoing. In theircivil lawsuit, the women alleged Robinson assaulted each of them numerous times inside his home while they were carrying out their duties as housekeepers. These incidents eventually forced each of them to resign from working at his Los Angeles-area home, according to the lawsuit. Most of the Jane Does described fear of reprisal and "the possible adverse effect on her immigration status" if they were to report the incidents to law enforcement. In addition to leveling accusations of labor law violations, the lawsuit also alleged Smokey's wife, Frances Robinson, perpetuated the hostile work environment and failed to prevent the alleged assaults "despite having full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct." If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN'sNational Sexual Assault Hotlineoffers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Smokey Robinson files complaint against 'fabricated' assault lawsuit
