Judge refuses to throw out defamation suit against Cosby

Source: AP

By DENISE LAVOIE

BOSTON (AP) — A defamation lawsuit brought against Bill Cosby by three women who say he sexually abused them decades ago can move forward, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled Friday, delivering a legal blow to the comedian as he attempts to defend himself against accusations of sexual assault by dozens of women.

The women claim in their lawsuit that Cosby's representatives damaged their reputations by denying their allegations in sometimes disparaging language. Cosby's lawyers had asked the judge to dismiss their suit, arguing that the remarks were personal opinions protected by the First Amendment and legal declarations made in his defense.

But in his ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni rejected Cosby's bid to dismiss the case before it ever goes to a jury.

The women — Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz — have accused Cosby of drugging them and then having unwanted sexual contact with them.

FULL story at link.


FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2013 file photo, actor-comedian Bill Cosby poses for a portrait in New York. A federal judge in Massachusetts has refused to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought against Cosby by three women who say he sexually abused them decades ago. The ruling Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, is a legal blow to Cosby, who has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/092349b55da741ab9e5a6824a6254242/judge-refuses-throw-out-defamation-suit-against-cosby