Cosby to settle defamation cases
Bill Cosby has agreed to settle lawsuits filed by seven women who say he defamed them when he accused them of lying about sexual misconduct allegations, according to court documents filed Friday in Massachusetts.
The papers in federal court in Springfield show the two sides have negotiated a settlement since 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 judge overseeing the defamation case in Massachusetts must still approve the settlement. The terms are confidential.
The women suing Cosby for defamation say he defamed them by branding them liars after they went public with allegations of sexual assault.
Cosby has denied their allegations.
Lawyer Joseph Cammarata, who represents the women, said Friday that “each plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement.”