LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Bill Cosby will not "dignify" with a comment allegations that he sexually assaulted several women in the past, according to a statement from the comedian's attorney.
"Over the last several weeks, decade-old, discredited allegations against Mr. Cosby have resurfaced,'' reads the statement from lawyer John P. Schmitt, which is posted on Cosby's website. "The fact that they are being repeated does not make them true. Mr. Cosby does not intend to dignify these allegations with any comment."
The statement comes one day after National Public Radio host Scott Simon directly asked Cosby about the allegation during a segment of Weekend Edition Saturday. Cosby and his wife, Camille, made an appearance on the show to discuss pieces of their art collection currently on loan to and on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.
Here is a transcript of that exchange from the NPR website:
SCOTT SIMON: "This question gives me no pleasure, Mr. Cosby, but there have been serious allegations raised about you in recent days."
BILL COSBY: [SILENCE]
SIMON: "You're shaking your head no. I'm in the news business. I have to ask the question. Do you have any response to those charges?"
COSBY: [SILENCE]
SIMON: "Shaking your head no. There are people who love you who might like to hear from you about this. I want to give you the chance."
COSBY: [SILENCE]
Several women have made allegations against Cosby in the past. Cosby settled a civil lawsuit detailing some allegations in 2006.
The latest resurfacing of the allegations seems to have been prompted by a recent comedy routince in Philadelphia, during which comic Hannibal Buress called Cosby a rapist.
Shortly after that Barbara Bowman came forward to say Cosby drugged and raped her some 30 years ago, when she was 17. Her allegations were detailed in an article in the U.K.'s MailOnline.
Bowman also wrote an essay for the Washington Post's PostEverything blog.
In recent days, Cosby has cancelled scheduled appearances on the Queen Latifah Show and Late Night with David Letterman.}
Here is the full statement from Cosby's lawyer that appeared on billcosby.com:
Over the last several weeks, decade-old, discredited allegations against Mr. Cosby have resurfaced. The fact that they are being repeated does not make them true. Mr. Cosby does not intend to dignify these allegations with any comment. He would like to thank all his fans for the outpouring of support and assure them that, at age 77, he is doing his best work. There will be no further statement from Mr. Cosby or any of his representatives.
- John P. Schmitt, lawyer for Bill Cosby
