LOS ANGELES – November 3, 2015 — (UPI) — Bill Cosby and his former lawyer will testify under oath in a defamation case filed by former model Janice Dickinson, a court ruled Monday.
Dickinson is perhaps the most high-profile name on the list of dozens of women who have publicly accused Cosby of sexual misconduct. She alleges that Cosby, 78, defamed her when the comedian called her a liar over allegations that he drugged and raped her around 1982.
No date has been set for the depositions, but Cosby and his former lawyer Martin D. Singer will testify by Nov. 25, judge Debre K. Weintraub of Los Angeles County Superior Court said.
“Ms. Dickinson is proud to stand with the more than 50 women who have accused Mr. Cosby of attempted or actual sexual assault,” said Dickinson’s attorney, Lisa Bloom.
A Cosby attorney said they will appeal.
“The court’s unfortunate but not surprising ruling permitting a limited deposition of Mr. Cosby regarding the statements of his former attorney Martin Singer was legally incorrect and deprives Mr. Cosby of a right well-settled under California law to have his motion to strike heard before unnecessary, expensive and burdensome discovery. It is disturbing that Mr. Cosby is not receiving the same protections as every other defense litigant in California,” Monique Pressley said.
Cosby faces two other defamation suits in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
