The 77-year-old comedian has filed legal documents challenging Janice's defamation suit, claiming the supermodel has a 'reputation as a liar and substance abuser.'
- Jun 27, 2015
AceShowbiz - Bill Cosby is firing back at Janice Dickinson over a defamation lawsuit she filed against him back in May. Bill's lawyers filed legal documents in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, June 22, asking to strike Janice's complaints on numerous fronts.
Bill's legal team alleged that Janice had "actively cultivated a reputation for outrageous behavior that includes substance abuse, mental lapses and lying." The lawyers contended that the supermodel's suit "arises from an act in furtherance of the right of free speech" and the comedian's statements denying the model's allegation "were made in a public forum and concern an issue of public interest" and were still within the scope of anti-SLAAP rules.
The comedian's lawyers said their client couldn't be held responsible for the statements he didn't make and Janice "cannot show that she suffered any damages." They claimed the supermodel had a "reputation as a liar and substance abuser" and was trying to "cash in on the recent media frenzy surrounding Mr. Cosby."
"Ms. Dickinson claims that [Cosby's attorney] Mr. [Martin] Singer branded her a liar, when, in fact, lying is part of her 'brand,' " Bill's legal papers read. "In her quest to remain in the public eye, Ms. Dickinson has actively cultivated a reputation for outrageous behavior that includes substance abuse, mental lapses and lying."
Janice previously declared in an interview with ET that she's suing Bill for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. "I'm suing Bill Cosby for justice and vindication," she said, "I could not let myself be silent. I am sober today, and I'm in a program of vigorous honesty. I want to protect all those women that haven't come forward and show them the love and support worldwide that what happened to me will not happen to another woman."
"I was drugged and raped - drugged and raped - by Bill Cosby. 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. I want to fight this. I'm not being paid anything monetarily to do this, it's just the right thing to do," she continued.
