Convicted sex offender <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/actor-comedian-bill-cosby-seeks-new-sexual-assault-trial-reduced-prison-sentence-170301">Bill Cosby</a> on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later.

The settlement ends a court fight that predates the 81-year-old's conviction a year ago for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University administrator, in 2004. Cosby is currently serving a 3- to 10-year sentence for that crime, though his lawyers plan an appeal.

He was the first celebrity convicted of sexual misconduct since the rise of the #MeToo movement, which cast a harsh light on widespread patterns of sexual harassment or abuse in multiple spheres of American life and ended the careers of dozens of powerful men in American media, politics and business.

The settlement covers seven of some 50 women who emerged over the past decade to level sex abuse charges against the once-beloved star of "The Cosby Show," who built a decades-long career on a family-friendly style of comedy.

All the allegations but Constand's were too old to be the subject of criminal prosecution, which prompted the seven women to sue for defamation when Cosby accused them of lying.

"Each Plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement," attorneys for Cosby said in papers filed in US District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, near one of Cosby's homes. They did not disclose the terms of the agreement.

The defamation suit was filed in December 2014. One of the seven, Louisa Moritz, an actress best known for appearing in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," died in January at age 72.

The other plaintiffs were Barbara Bowman, who said she was a 17-year-old aspiring actress when she was assaulted in 1985; Tamara Green, who said she was a young model in the early 1970s when she was attacked; actress Angela Leslie, who said her attack took place in 1992; Therese Serignese, now a registered nurse who said she was 19 when she was attacked in 1976; Joan Tarshis, who said she was 19 at the time of her attack in 1969; and Linda Traitz, who said she was an 18-year-old waitress when she became a victim in 1969.

Cosby has denied the accusations and maintained his innocence.

Convicted sex offender Bill Cosby on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later.

Convicted sex offender Bill Cosby on Friday settled a federal defamation lawsuit brought by seven women who said the former actor and comedian sexually assaulted them and wrongly called them liars when they went public with their charges years later. The settlement ends a court fight that predates the 81-year-old's conviction a year ago for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University administrator, in 2004. Cosby is currently serving a 3- to 10-year sentence for that crime, though his lawyers plan an appeal. He was the first celebrity convicted of sexual misconduct since the rise of the #MeToo movement, which cast a harsh light on widespread patterns of sexual harassment or abuse in multiple spheres of American life and ended the careers of dozens of powerful men in American media, politics and business. The settlement covers seven of some 50 women who emerged over the past decade to level sex abuse charges against the once-beloved star of "The Cosby Show," who built a decades-long career on a family-friendly style of comedy. All the allegations but Constand's were too old to be the subject of criminal prosecution, which prompted the seven women to sue for defamation when Cosby accused them of lying. "Each Plaintiff is satisfied with the settlement," attorneys for Cosby said in papers filed in US District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, near one of Cosby's homes. They did not disclose the terms of the agreement. The defamation suit was filed in December 2014. One of the seven, Louisa Moritz, an actress best known for appearing in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," died in January at age 72. The other plaintiffs were Barbara Bowman, who said she was a 17-year-old aspiring actress when she was assaulted in 1985; Tamara Green, who said she was a young model in the early 1970s when she was attacked; actress Angela Leslie, who said her attack took place in 1992; Therese Serignese, now a registered nurse who said she was 19 when she was attacked in 1976; Joan Tarshis, who said she was 19 at the time of her attack in 1969; and Linda Traitz, who said she was an 18-year-old waitress when she became a victim in 1969. Cosby has denied the accusations and maintained his innocence.

Bill Cosby settles defamation lawsuit brought by seven women

Prosecutors wrapped up their sexual assault case against comedian Bill Cosby on Thursday as experts offered conflicting testimony about the drugs he is accused of giving a then-friend before allegedly raping her.

Judge Steven O'Neill said he anticipated Cosby's fate would be in the hands of the jury next week. Lawyers said deliberations could begin as early as late Monday in an attempt to reach a unanimous verdict, which eluded the jury in Cosby's first trial. It ended in a mistrial in June.

Andrea Constand, 45, contends the former star of "The Cosby Show" gave her three little blue pills he said would help her relax and then sexually assaulted her at his home outside Philadelphia in 2004.

Cosby, 80, says any sexual contact with Constand was consensual. He could face 10 years in prison if convicted.

The questions of what drug Cosby gave Constand and the effects it had are central to the case.

Timothy Rohrig, a forensic toxicologist from Wichita, Kansas, called as the final prosecution witness, testified about the effects of Benadryl and Quaaludes, which Cosby in a 2005 deposition said he used to seduce women. Rohrig said the pills could have left Constand feeling incapacitated.

Constand testified last week that after swallowing the pills she experienced double vision, slurred her words, had dry mouth, and her legs felt "rubbery," even paralysed. She was an administrator for the women's basketball team at Cosby's alma mater, Temple University.

"All these symptoms she described, and the timing of the symptoms, were consistent with the ingestion of diphenhydramine," Rohrig said, using the generic name for Benadryl. The drug is commonly used for allergies.

The same symptoms also could have been caused by Quaaludes, which additionally make the user "very sleepy," he testified at Montgomery Count Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Quaaludes are a sedative.

About 50 women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them, sometimes after plying them with drugs or alcohol in a series of alleged attacks dating back decades. Constand's charge is the only one recent enough to be the subject of criminal prosecution.

Cosby's defence team, which has portrayed Constand as a money-hungry con artist, aimed to cast doubt on Constand's claims the pills left her so impaired she could not resist.

A toxicologist testifying for the defence, Dr&nbspHarry Milman, called Benadryl "one of the safest drugs on the market" and said Quaaludes were not available in the Philadelphia area in 2004.

Prosecutor M&nbspStewart Ryan, during cross-examination, said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele prosecuted a drug case in 2002 that resulted in the seizure of thousands of illegal Quaaludes.

Prosecutors wrapped up their sexual assault case against comedian Bill Cosby on Thursday as experts offered conflicting testimony about the drugs he is accused of giving a then-friend before allegedly raping her

Prosecutors wrapped up their sexual assault case against comedian Bill Cosby on Thursday as experts offered conflicting testimony about the drugs he is accused of giving a then-friend before allegedly raping her. Judge Steven O'Neill said he anticipated Cosby's fate would be in the hands of the jury next week. Lawyers said deliberations could begin as early as late Monday in an attempt to reach a unanimous verdict, which eluded the jury in Cosby's first trial. It ended in a mistrial in June. Andrea Constand, 45, contends the former star of "The Cosby Show" gave her three little blue pills he said would help her relax and then sexually assaulted her at his home outside Philadelphia in 2004. Cosby, 80, says any sexual contact with Constand was consensual. He could face 10 years in prison if convicted. The questions of what drug Cosby gave Constand and the effects it had are central to the case. Timothy Rohrig, a forensic toxicologist from Wichita, Kansas, called as the final prosecution witness, testified about the effects of Benadryl and Quaaludes, which Cosby in a 2005 deposition said he used to seduce women. Rohrig said the pills could have left Constand feeling incapacitated. Constand testified last week that after swallowing the pills she experienced double vision, slurred her words, had dry mouth, and her legs felt "rubbery," even paralysed. She was an administrator for the women's basketball team at Cosby's alma mater, Temple University. "All these symptoms she described, and the timing of the symptoms, were consistent with the ingestion of diphenhydramine," Rohrig said, using the generic name for Benadryl. The drug is commonly used for allergies. The same symptoms also could have been caused by Quaaludes, which additionally make the user "very sleepy," he testified at Montgomery Count Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Quaaludes are a sedative. About 50 women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them, sometimes after plying them with drugs or alcohol in a series of alleged attacks dating back decades. Constand's charge is the only one recent enough to be the subject of criminal prosecution. Cosby's defence team, which has portrayed Constand as a money-hungry con artist, aimed to cast doubt on Constand's claims the pills left her so impaired she could not resist. A toxicologist testifying for the defence, Dr&nbspHarry Milman, called Benadryl "one of the safest drugs on the market" and said Quaaludes were not available in the Philadelphia area in 2004. Prosecutor M&nbspStewart Ryan, during cross-examination, said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele prosecuted a drug case in 2002 that resulted in the seizure of thousands of illegal Quaaludes.

Cosby sex assault retrial to go to jury next week: Judge

The judge in Bill Cosby`s sexual assault trial on Wednesday refused a defense request that he declare a mistrial after one of the accusers called as a prosecution witness blurted out, "You know what you did, don`t you, Mr. Cosby?" 
 
Cosby, 80, once a beloved stand-up comedian and television star known for his family-friendly material, is on trial on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a 45-year-old former friend, and colleague, in 2004. 
 
Three other accusers testified at a Pennsylvania court on Wednesday that they were drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby in the 1980s when Cosby was at the height of his popularity as the star of ' The Cosby Show.'&nbsp; Two more were expected to testify later in the trial, in addition to Constand. 
 
One of those accusers, aspiring actress and model Chelan Lasha, surprised the courtroom with her outburst directed at Cosby while the jury of seven men and five women listened. Cosby`s defence team immediately asked for a mistrial, fearing her remark could unduly influence the jury. Montgomery County Judge Steven O`Neill denied the motion but warned a tearful Lasha against repeating such conduct.&nbsp; 
 
Cosby betrayed little emotion, occasionally making brief facial expressions. Lasha said Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1986 when she was 17 and just out of high school in Las Vegas. 
 
"I was a child and a good girl, and he took it all away from me," Lasha said, weeping through parts of her testimony. "I trusted him." 
 
In all, some 50 women have accused Cosby of molestation going back decades. All but Constand`s case were too old to be prosecuted, and Cosby`s first trial ended in a mistrial last June due to a deadlocked jury. 
 
Cosby denies the charge of aggravated indecent assault of Constand, saying any sexual contact was consensual. His lawyers have portrayed Constand as a gold-digging con artist. 
 
Since the first trial, the #MeToo movement exploded, prompting an increasing number of women to come forward with accusations of harassment or assault from rich and famous men. Another accuser, Janice Baker-Kinney, said Cosby drugged and raped her in Reno, Nevada, in 1982, when she was 24.&nbsp; 
 
During a game of backgammon, Cosby offered her a pill she believes was a Quaalude, then a second one, Baker-Kinney said.&nbsp; 
 
She next recalled waking up on a couch with her clothes undone and Cosby fondling her. Later she recalled waking up in bed with Cosby, both of them naked. "There was a sticky wetness between my legs, and it felt like I had had sex the night before," Baker-Kinney said.

Cosby denies the charge of aggravated indecent assault of Constand, saying any sexual contact was consensual.

The judge in Bill Cosby`s sexual assault trial on Wednesday refused a defense request that he declare a mistrial after one of the accusers called as a prosecution witness blurted out, "You know what you did, don`t you, Mr. Cosby?" Cosby, 80, once a beloved stand-up comedian and television star known for his family-friendly material, is on trial on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a 45-year-old former friend, and colleague, in 2004. Three other accusers testified at a Pennsylvania court on Wednesday that they were drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby in the 1980s when Cosby was at the height of his popularity as the star of ' The Cosby Show.' Two more were expected to testify later in the trial, in addition to Constand. One of those accusers, aspiring actress and model Chelan Lasha, surprised the courtroom with her outburst directed at Cosby while the jury of seven men and five women listened. Cosby`s defence team immediately asked for a mistrial, fearing her remark could unduly influence the jury. Montgomery County Judge Steven O`Neill denied the motion but warned a tearful Lasha against repeating such conduct. Cosby betrayed little emotion, occasionally making brief facial expressions. Lasha said Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1986 when she was 17 and just out of high school in Las Vegas. "I was a child and a good girl, and he took it all away from me," Lasha said, weeping through parts of her testimony. "I trusted him." In all, some 50 women have accused Cosby of molestation going back decades. All but Constand`s case were too old to be prosecuted, and Cosby`s first trial ended in a mistrial last June due to a deadlocked jury. Cosby denies the charge of aggravated indecent assault of Constand, saying any sexual contact was consensual. His lawyers have portrayed Constand as a gold-digging con artist. Since the first trial, the #MeToo movement exploded, prompting an increasing number of women to come forward with accusations of harassment or assault from rich and famous men. Another accuser, Janice Baker-Kinney, said Cosby drugged and raped her in Reno, Nevada, in 1982, when she was 24. During a game of backgammon, Cosby offered her a pill she believes was a Quaalude, then a second one, Baker-Kinney said. She next recalled waking up on a couch with her clothes undone and Cosby fondling her. Later she recalled waking up in bed with Cosby, both of them naked. "There was a sticky wetness between my legs, and it felt like I had had sex the night before," Baker-Kinney said.

Bill Cosby accused of drugging and sexually assaulting former-colleague Andrea Constand

Disgraced TV legend Bill Cosby - battling back in a sex assault case against him - can sue an accuser over tweets she wrote and an interview she gave for breaching confidentiality, a judge has ruled. 
 
In the mixed ruling issued Friday, US District Judge Eduardo Robreno also ruled that Cosby cannot sue Andrea Constand, her mother or attorneys for speaking to investigators about her accusations. 
 
But the judge let Cosby`s other claims stand for now, ruling that Constand, a former Temple University basketball coach, violated the confidentiality agreement through posts she made on twitter about the case and in comments to the Toronto Sun newspaper in 2015. 
 
The judge said Cosby could sue Constand lawyers Dolores Troiani and Bebe Kovitz for an open letter they wrote about the case published in the Philadelphia Enquirer. 
 
&quot;We are, of course, very pleased with the court`s ruling in favor of our client,&quot; Cosby`s attorneys said in a statement Monday. 
 
Constand`s allegations, that he drugged and sexually assaulted Constand at his Pennsylvania home in 2006, are also the basis for the only criminal prosecution against him.&nbsp; 
 
A judge ruled in May that Constand`s 2004 allegations could proceed to trial -- the only criminal assault charge brought against him.&nbsp;The former star posted $1 million bail in the case in December, but has yet to enter a plea and a trial date has not been set thus far. 
 
More than 50 women have publicly alleged sexual abuse at the hands of the former megastar, who attained his greatest fame for his role as a lovable obstetrician and family man in the hit 1980s sitcom &quot;The Cosby Show.&quot; 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Robreno's ruling was a rare piece of good news for the entertainer`s team

Disgraced TV legend Bill Cosby - battling back in a sex assault case against him - can sue an accuser over tweets she wrote and an interview she gave for breaching confidentiality, a judge has ruled. In the mixed ruling issued Friday, US District Judge Eduardo Robreno also ruled that Cosby cannot sue Andrea Constand, her mother or attorneys for speaking to investigators about her accusations. But the judge let Cosby`s other claims stand for now, ruling that Constand, a former Temple University basketball coach, violated the confidentiality agreement through posts she made on twitter about the case and in comments to the Toronto Sun newspaper in 2015. The judge said Cosby could sue Constand lawyers Dolores Troiani and Bebe Kovitz for an open letter they wrote about the case published in the Philadelphia Enquirer. "We are, of course, very pleased with the court`s ruling in favor of our client," Cosby`s attorneys said in a statement Monday. Constand`s allegations, that he drugged and sexually assaulted Constand at his Pennsylvania home in 2006, are also the basis for the only criminal prosecution against him. A judge ruled in May that Constand`s 2004 allegations could proceed to trial -- the only criminal assault charge brought against him. The former star posted $1 million bail in the case in December, but has yet to enter a plea and a trial date has not been set thus far. More than 50 women have publicly alleged sexual abuse at the hands of the former megastar, who attained his greatest fame for his role as a lovable obstetrician and family man in the hit 1980s sitcom "The Cosby Show." (AFP)

Bill Cosby battles back in sex assault case, permitted to sue his rape accuser over breach of confidentiality

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Bill Cosby settles defamation lawsuit brought by seven women

Cosby sex assault retrial to go to jury next week: Judge

Bill Cosby accused of drugging and sexually assaulting former-colleague Andrea Constand

Bill Cosby battles back in sex assault case, permitted to sue his rape accuser over breach of confidentiality