Bill Cosby countersues [View all]

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(Sorry if this is a dupe but there are still some server issues, so it's hard to check).

Now Cosby is turning the tactic on the accusers. The comedian claims the women have damaged his "honorable legacy and reputation" by "relying solely on unsubstantiated accusations" and "willfully, maliciously, and falsely accusing Mr. Cosby of multi-decade-old purported sexual misconduct." The lawsuit "is nothing more than an opportunistic attempt to extract financial gain from him," states the counterclaims, which include defamation and infliction of emotional distress.

Cosby denies he sexually assaulted the seven women. "Falsely accusing another of sexual assault is morally repugnant and subjected Mr. Cosby to severe emotional distress from public ridicule, shame, and contempt of such a nature that no reasonable person could be expected to endure it," states the counterclaims.

Interestingly, the counterclaims address an effect of the accusations hardly covered in the ensuing litigation: the projects the comedian was developing with NBC and Netflix at the time the accusations resurfaced in September 2014. In a claim of tortious interference, Cosby says the accusers "induced both NBC and Netflix to postpone or cancel their contracts with Mr. Cosby by engaging in a campaign to assassinate Mr. Cosby’s reputation and character."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/bill-cosby-countersues-accusers-defamation-848513