Bill Cosby fires back, suing seven sexual misconduct accusers for defamation, saying they made up rape and molestation claims for financial gain.
Embattled comedian Bill Cosby has filed a lawsuit against seven women who are suing him for defamation, claiming the alleged victims are lying for financial gain.
The countersuit was filed Monday in Massachusetts federal court, where Cosby contends the women’s assertions are “nothing more than an opportunistic attempt to extract financial gain from him.”
Read: Whoopi Goldberg Defends Bill Cosby Compares Scandal to Lacrosse Rape Case
The women earlier sued Cosby, saying he defamed them by claiming they made false accusations about him.
Cosby’s Lawyer Monique Pressley told INSIDE EDITION: “Mr. Cosby hasn’t committed any crimes. This is traumatizing, this is stressful, this is traumatic. Someone is trying to peel away at decades worth of his legacy and life’s work."
An attorney for the women, Joseph Cammarata, told IE: “Either they are telling the truth or Mr. Cosby is telling the truth. From where I sit, I would rather be on their side.”
They are part of about 50 women who have accused Cosby of rape or sexual assault in the past year.
The celebrity’s countersuit notes his philanthropy as something Cosby “prides himself in the legacy and reputation he has earned throughout his life,” according to the Associated Press.
He also claims reputation and his income have suffered because of the women’s claims.
His countersuit cites the woman for “their malicious, opportunistic, and false and defamatory accusations against him.”
Cosby denies all sexual accusations made against him and has not been charged with a crime.
Gloria Allred, who represents other alleged victims, told Fox News “Bill Cosby appears to be going to war against women who have sued him in Massachusetts and who alleged that he has victimized them.”
