NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Cosby accuser defends defamation lawsuit

PITTSBURGH

Attorneys for a western Pennsylvania woman who contends Bill Cosby repeatedly drugged and had sex with her in the 1980s have filed a response to Cosby’s attempt to have a federal judge dismiss her defamation lawsuit against him.

Cosby’s attorneys last week asked a federal-court judge in Pittsburgh to dismiss the lawsuit filed in October by Renita Hill.

Hill sued claiming Cosby made her out to be a “liar” and “extortionist” when the comedian, his wife and his attorney issued blanket denials to claims that Cosby drugged and sexually molested several women shortly after Hill went public with her allegations in November 2014.

Cosby’s attorneys claimed the denials constitute opinions that are protected by the First Amendment. But Hill’s attorneys said Tuesday that those opinion were based on “undisclosed facts” – namely, the implication that Hill is lying.

Filmmaker sues college, alleging bias

PHILADELPHIA

A black filmmaker is suing the Community College of Philadelphia, alleging it discriminated against him because of his race and gender.

Rel Dowdell is noted for the films “Train Ride” and “Changing the Game.” He has taught as an adjunct for the college for 12 years.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Dowdell says he made it through initial hiring interviews for full-time positions in 2005 and 2015 but was stopped both times.

The lawsuit was filed last week. It says just three black men have been hired full time in the English department out of about 50 hires over the past 15 years.

Associated Press