Massachusetts

Cosby's Insurer Agrees to Settle Seven Defamation Lawsuits; Comedian Says Settlement Happened Without His Permission

Cosby is serving 3 to 10 years at SCI-Phoenix outside Philadelphia for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand

Bill Cosby's insurance company has agreed to settle lawsuits filed by seven women who say the comedian defamed them when he accused them of lying about sexual misconduct allegations.

However, Cosby said that AIG decided to settle without his knowledge or permission.

"Mr. Cosby vehemently denies the allegations brought against him in these defamation suits and he maintains his innocence," Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said in a statement.

Filings Friday in federal court in Springfield, Massachusetts, show the settlement. Cosby went to prison last fall in a separate Pennsylvania sex assault case. The 81-year-old comedian is serving a three- to 10-year prison sentence there.

The federal judge overseeing the defamation case in Massachusetts must still approve the settlement. The terms are confidential.

Wyatt said Cosby is still pursuing counterclaims against the accusers, one of whom recently died.

Cosby is serving 3 to 10 years at SCI-Phoenix outside Philadelphia for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, home in 2004.

He recently settled a civil lawsuit with Constand for nearly $3.4 million.

Earlier this year Cosby said he considers himself a “political prisoner” akin to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela and remained unapologetic, according to Wyatt.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to include Cosby's statement that his insurance company settled without his permission.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us