Bill Cosby blocks release of secret document from sexual assault case

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Actor Bill Cosby, 77, is seeking to block the release of court documents
Married comedian has been accused by dozens of women of sexual assault
Cosby has not been charged and has staunchly maintained his innocence
Four women, including model Janice Dickinson, all accuse Cosby of defaming them by having his agents deny that he ever molested them

Published: 05:25 EST, 3 June 2015 | Updated: 05:29 EST, 3 June 2015

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Cosby has been accused by more than 30 women of sexual misconduct, including allegations by many that he drugged and raped them in incidents dating back more than four decades

Comedian Bill Cosby, who has been hit with dozens of sexual abuse allegations, is seeking to block the release of material linked to a confidential settlement in a 2006 sex-assault lawsuit.

Cosby has been accused by more than 30 women of sexual misconduct, including allegations by many that he drugged and raped them in incidents dating back more than four decades.

Cosby, 77, has never been criminally charged, and most of the accusations are barred by statutes of limitations.

Now Cosby's lawyers have moved to block a subpoena sent to a lawyer for the Philadelphia accuser by three women now suing Cosby for defamation in Massachusetts.

Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz all accuse Cosby of defaming them by having his agents deny their claims that the actor had molested them in the 1970s.

The lawsuit hinges on recent denials of sex abuse allegations by Cosby's representatives.

In January 2004, Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, accused Cosby of drugging and fondling her but in February 2005, Montgomery County's District Attorney said there would be no charges due to 'insufficient credible and admissible evidence'.

Ms Constand filed a civil claim in March 2005 with thirteen women as potential witnesses if the case went to court and Cosby settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in November 2006.

Now the women suing Cosby believe documents from the lawsuit will help their cause.

However, Ms Constand's settlement with the actor is protected by a confidentiality agreement.

Bill Cosby pictured with wife Camillie - in December she released a statement defending her husband

Lili Bernard on Bill Cosby: 'He drugged me and raped me'

Cosby's lawyers argued on Tuesday that court confidentiality agreements 'should not be set aside lightly.'

Defense lawyer George M. Gowen asked the Pennsylvania court to wait until a judge rules on Cosby's bid to throw out the Massachusetts case.

He also asked for the right to review and challenge any material set to be unsealed.

Cosby is best known for The Cosby Show (pictured)

The motion was filed in federal court in Philadelphia.

Model Janice Dickinson has also sued Bill Cosby for defamation on claims her reputation was tarnished when the comedian called her claims he drugged and raped her in 1982 'fabricated lies.'

'I was drugged and raped by Bill Cosby,' Dickinson told ET last month. 'And the fact that he and his spokespeople have called me a liar – referring to remarks that I've made – it's just not correct.'

Dickinson has dated-looking photographs of a robe-wearing Cosby she says she took in the hotel room where she claims he sexually assaulted her in Lake Tahoe.

Late last year, Dickinson broke down in tears in a live television interview accusing Cosby of using the offer of career advancement to lure her to a hotel room where he drugged her and raped her while she was unconscious.

Dickinson is one of over 30 women who've come forward with claims of sexual assault against the actor and comedian.

Cosby has staunchly maintained his innocence, and wife Camille issued a statement in December forcefully dismissing allegations against her husband of a half-century.

Janice Dickinson steps out after Cosby allegations (archive)