Cosby’s wife deposed in sexual-assault defamation case

Bill Cosby’s wife underwent a two-and-a-hour inquisition under oath on Monday from lawyers for seven women who accused him of sexual assault and then sued him for defamation.

Camille Cosby, who manages her husband’s business, was deposed at a hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts. The deposition was originally expected to take place on January 6, but was pushed back until now.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – Bill Cosby’s wife answered questions under oath for lawyers in a MA defamation lawsuit brought against him by seven women who say he sexually assaulted them decades ago, and she will answer more questions next month.

The women allege that Bill Cosby defamed them by branding them as liars after they went public with allegations of sexual assault. Bill Cosby, 78, filed a countersuit on December 14, and his lawyers have repeatedly denied the women’s accusations.

Yet in the over seven hours the deposition was held, just two-and-a-half hours were actual testimony.

Her lawyers said that she “has had no involvement with the facts or allegations underlying this case”, and that forcing her to testify would serve “no objective other than to harass and embarrass her”, according to the Associated Press. Bill Cosby was not present for the deposition, Cammarata said.

Cammarata had said he sought from to learn from her “issues important to the case” and about the entertainer’s “relationship to her, to other women”.

Speaking before the deposition, Cammarata admitted he was looking forward to quizzing Camille, who has been married to the actor since 1964 – and has stood by his side throughout the controversy.

She also suggested that her husband, not the women, was the party being harmed.

In December 2014, as the onslaught of allegations built up, Camille leapt to defend her “wonderful husband” and criticised the media coverage. Cammarata asked, previewing his line of questioning in a telephone interview.

“She’s his wife”, he said.

Lawyers for Cosby and his wife have argued that she does not have any information on the accuracy of the women’s claims and that her conversations with him are confidential under the state marital disqualification rule.

The Cosbys have a home in Shelburne Falls, about an hour’s drive from Springfield, where the lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, was filed. They have five children, one of them deceased.

The plaintiffs in the defamation case are among about 50 who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual misconduct.

Cosby has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty. He has not yet entered a plea in the criminal case, and is scheduled to appear in court March 8 for a preliminary hearing.

U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni on Sunday night denied the defendant’s motion and ruled Camille Cosby would be deposed.