Bill Cosby: Seven women who accused disgraced actor of sexual assault settle defamation lawsuits

Insurer reaches agreement with group against jailed entertainer’s wishes

Several women who accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault have settled defamation lawsuits against the actor.

The seven are among the dozens who have accused the once beloved comedian of sexual misconduct which occurred decades ago.

They argued Cosby defamed them by labelling them as liars when he denied the accusations.

American International Group (AIG), the insurer, reached a settlement with the group, according to court documents filed this week.

Courts had earlier ruled AIG had to pay for the imprisoned actor to defend himself in the cases, as part of his insurance coverage.

Cosby did not authorise the settlement, Andrew Wyatt, his spokesperson, said.

“Mr Cosby did not settle any cases with anyone. He is not paying anything to anyone, and he is still pursuing his counterclaims,” Mr Wyatt said in a statement. “AIG decided to settle these cases, without the knowledge, permission and/or consent of Mr Cosby.”

The disgraced actor is currently serving a three to 10 year prison sentence in a separate sexual assault case.

He was found guilty in September 2018 of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, his one-time friend, in 2004.

The group of seven women who have accused Cosby of defamation include Tamara Green, Barbara Bowman and Therese Serignese.

In a 2006 deposition Cosby admitted giving Ms Serignese quaaludes, sedative drugs, before a sexual encounter in Las Vegas in 1976, when she was 19.

“Each plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement,” Joseph Cammarata, the lawyer representing the women in the defamation lawsuits, said.

The judge overseeing the defamation case in Massachusetts must still approve the settlement.

Mr Cammarata also warned in a status report that his clients would seek to depose Cosby if the actor did not drop counterclaims accusing the women of harming his reputation through their accusations.

Cosby’s spokesperson confirmed the actor intended to pursue the counterclaims.

Earlier this year the 81-year-old described himself as a “political prisoner” and compared himself to civil rights activists such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.

Additional reporting by agencies