Bill Cosby boils over alleged settlement in defamation suit

WASHINGTON, United States – Hollywood billionaire comic actor Bill Cosby has denounced reports in the media that he has opted to settle a federal lawsuit with seven women who accused him of defamation after they went public with sexual assault allegations.

The seven women had sued Bill Cosby in 2014, claiming that he falsely branded them as liars after they accused him of sexual abuse.

But a year later, he filed a counter-suit alleging that they had defamed his character and intentionally derailed a television deal that was coming his way.

Attorney to the 7 women, Joseph Cammarata, had said that “each plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement,” according to court papers filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.

But replying to their claim of settlement, Bill Cosby said he did not settle any case with anyone and that he is not paying anything to anyone. He said in a statement that he is still pursuing his counterclaims.

Bill Cosby 81, said AIG decided to settle these cases, without the knowledge, permission and/or consent of Mr. Cosby.

“Mr. Cosby vehemently denies the allegations brought against him in these defamation suits and he maintains his innocence”, he said through his media aide.

See his full statement:

For Immediate Release

Mr. Cosby did not settle any cases with anyone. He is not paying anything to anyone, and he is still pursuing his counterclaims. AIG decided to settle these cases, without the knowledge, permission and/or consent of Mr. Cosby. Mr. Cosby vehemently denies the allegations brought against him in these defamation suits and he maintains his innocence.

Last September, Bill Cosby was sentenced to 10 years in prison after his conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, when she was the director of operations for the Temple University women’s basketball team.

Constand had testified that Cosby violated her at his Pennsylvania home in 2004 after she reached out to him for career advice.

About 60 women also accused Cosby of assaulting them, but Constand is the only one whose allegation has led to criminal charges.