Bill Cosby accusers fight motion to dismiss defamation suit

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Three women who allege Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them decades ago say in a court filing that he doesn't have a right to lie and hide behind the statements of his representatives to have their defamation lawsuit dismissed.

The women said in the opposition filed Friday that Cosby claims "he enjoys a license to lie about anyone who truthfully accuses him of misconduct" and "claims because he directed his spokespersons to make the defamatory statements at issue, rather than uttering the statements himself, he is somehow absolved of liability."

The filing was a response to Cosby's motion to dismiss the suit.

Cosby, through lawyers, has denied the allegations. He hasn't been criminally charged.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield, not far from Cosby's Massachusetts home.