Embattled comedian Bill Cosby has not exactly had the best publicity of late thanks to the bafflingly high number of people who have accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting them. Over 40 women claim Cosby assaulted them in the timeframe from 1965 to 2008. Andrea Constand, the first woman to come forward, settled a lawsuit with Cosby nine years ago. Now, in a futile effort to maintain some shred of dignity, he's fighting to make sure the court documents of that trial are not released.
The Hollywood Reporter explains that Cosby appeared before a Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday (June 24) and explained there was "no legitimate public interest" in making the court documents public, adding that the information dump would result in a "real, specific threat of serious embarrassment."
The Associated Press has been attempted to obtain the files since the case was first settled in 2006, but a judge determined that the motions would be sealed off from the media.
Since then, the AP has brought forward a civic rule stating that records can be unsealed after two years unless a judge states otherwise.
According to Cosby, the documents include details of the sexual misconduct allegations along with details about his health, the various prescription drugs he uses, his financial affairs and his personal relationships.
Cosby's attorney George Gowen said, "There is no doubt that public disclosure of the motions and Defendant's sworn deposition testimony, which delves into the most intimate subjects imaginable, would generate a firestorm of publicity."
Further, Gowen noted that the unsealing of records is typically reserved for public officials, saying Cosby "is not a public official, nor is the relevant information important to public health or safety." He added that Cosby's "status as a well-known comedian and entertainer does not render him a 'public' person within the meaning of the law."
The Associated Press argued otherwise with their own brief, arguing that Cosby is "unquestionably a public figure" and adding that his conduct is "a legitimate matter for public scrutiny." If you'd like to dive into the legalese, you can read it here.
The Hollywood Reporter explains that Cosby appeared before a Pennsylvania judge on Wednesday (June 24) and explained there was "no legitimate public interest" in making the court documents public, adding that the information dump would result in a "real, specific threat of serious embarrassment."
The Associated Press has been attempted to obtain the files since the case was first settled in 2006, but a judge determined that the motions would be sealed off from the media.
Since then, the AP has brought forward a civic rule stating that records can be unsealed after two years unless a judge states otherwise.
According to Cosby, the documents include details of the sexual misconduct allegations along with details about his health, the various prescription drugs he uses, his financial affairs and his personal relationships.
Cosby's attorney George Gowen said, "There is no doubt that public disclosure of the motions and Defendant's sworn deposition testimony, which delves into the most intimate subjects imaginable, would generate a firestorm of publicity."
Further, Gowen noted that the unsealing of records is typically reserved for public officials, saying Cosby "is not a public official, nor is the relevant information important to public health or safety." He added that Cosby's "status as a well-known comedian and entertainer does not render him a 'public' person within the meaning of the law."
The Associated Press argued otherwise with their own brief, arguing that Cosby is "unquestionably a public figure" and adding that his conduct is "a legitimate matter for public scrutiny." If you'd like to dive into the legalese, you can read it here.
