Bill Cosby is facing more legal trouble over sexual assault allegations, more than a year after he is released from prison in 2021.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in New York state court, five women — including “The Cosby Show” actresses Lily Bernard and Eden Terrell — allege they were sexually assaulted by the former television star, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. are “sexually harassed or harassed”. Bernard, Terrell and Sandra Ladd, who have previously spoken out about Cosby’s alleged conduct, join additional plaintiffs Jewell Gittens and Jennifer Thompson under New York’s one-year window to file adult-abuse complaints against the actor. sues
The suit (via The Hill ) also alleges that NBC and television companies Kaufman Astoria Studios and Carsey-Werner Television are “guilty and liable” for Cosby’s alleged sexual assault. “The Cosby Show” filmed at Kaufman Astoria Studios, produced by Carsey-Werner; It aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992.
In a statement to The Times on Tuesday, Cosby’s representative, Andrew White, called the latest case “absurd.”
“These black defendants were once represented [Attorney Gloria Allred] And from 2014 to 2016 back was a part of the parade of accused. As we’ve always said, and now America can see, this is not about justice for rape victims, it’s all about money,” White said in an emailed statement.
“We trust that the courts, as well as the court of public opinion, will follow the rule of law and exonerate Mr. Cosby from these charges. Mr. Cosby vehemently denies all charges against him and looks forward to defending himself. in court.”
Representatives for NBC and Carsey-Werner did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment Tuesday. Kaufman could not be reached at Astoria Studios for comment.
The 34-page lawsuit details several separate instances of sexual and drug abuse by Cosby during the 1960s and ’90s. Several accusers claimed that Cosby, 85, laced his drinks with “drugs” and sexually assaulted him. The allegations are consistent with those of women who have previously spoken out against Cosby.
The lawsuit alleges that Cosby threatened to “blacklist” one of the plaintiffs if she resisted his forceful sexual advances or spoke out against his behavior. The women say NBC, Kaufman Astoria and Carsey-Werner “should have known that Bill Cosby was a danger to women” and that the companies “used Bill Cosby’s power or the appearance of power … to access and sexually assault women.”
In September 2018, Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for sexual assault after several women, including Tamara Green and Victoria Valentino, came forward with sexual assault and drug charges against the actor. face Three years later, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby’s rape conviction due to a “non-prosecution” agreement the comedian had made with the Montgomery County District Attorney.
Earlier this year, Cosby was ordered to pay $500,000 for sexually assaulting Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion when she was 16 in the 1970s.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
