United Kingdom, April 24 -- Smokey Robinson's defamation claim against former employees suing him for sexual assault has been dismissed.

The Motown icon and his wife Frances had taken legal action against the plaintiffs and their lawyer for branding him a "serial and sick rapist" at a press conference in 2025, and Judge Kevin C. Brazile has ruled that there isn't sufficient evidence to hold them liable.

According to a court document obtained by PEOPLE magazine, he said: "There is evidence supporting the Robinsons, including inconsistencies and unusual circumstances, like encouraging a sister to work after the assaults.

"However, the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard."

He added that the Robin...