A judge has dismissed a defamation counterclaim filed by Motown legend Smokey Robinson against four housekeepers who previously sued him for alleged sexual assault.

The dismissal comes after Robinson filed the counterclaim in response to a lawsuit brought by the four women, who worked as housekeepers and accused the veteran singer of sexual assault. The original lawsuit alleged that Robinson engaged in inappropriate conduct during their employment.

Robinson, 84, is best known as the founder and frontman of The Miracles and as a key figure in the Motown sound of the 1960s. He served as vice president of Motown Records and wrote numerous hit songs for other artists on the label.

The court's decision to dismiss Robinson's defamation claim means the original sexual assault lawsuit filed by the housekeepers will proceed without the countersuit. Details about the specific allegations in both the original lawsuit and the dismissed counterclaim have not been made public.

Neither Robinson's legal team nor representatives for the accusers have provided immediate comment on the judge's ruling. The case represents one of several high-profile sexual assault allegations that have emerged against entertainment industry figures in recent years.