Bill Cosby’s Lawyer Confirms: No Comments On ‘Decade-Old, Discredited’ Rape Allegations

A statement released from Bill Cosby’s lawyer confirms what was being speculated yesterday: the comedian will not be answering any questions about the recently resurfaced rape allegations. This was hinted at when Cosby refused to answer a question about the matter from NPR on Saturday, but today’s statement makes it official.

The statement from John P Schmitt, Bill Cosby’s lawyer, appeared on the comedian’s website Sunday afternoon, calling the allegations ‘discredited’ and, while not directly denying them, suggesting that they are untrue. The statement goes on to confirm that Cosby will not respond to questions about the matter, and that there will be no further statements.

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.

Though the last case of rape allegations against Cosby was settled 8 years ago, the story resurfaced when comedian Hanibal Buress talked about it in a stand-up skit. According to Vulture, he called Cosby smug, questioning how he could take a superior attitude after a lifetime of raping women. Buress finished by challenging listeners:

People think I’m making it up. That s**t is upsetting. If you didn’t know about it, trust me. You leave here and Google ‘Bill Cosby rape.’ It’s not funny. That s**t has more results than Hannibal Buress.

It seems that perhaps some did look it up, and shared, because it quickly went viral, and has been buzzing since. Cosby’s meme generator was hijacked with rapist memes, and he has refused to answer questions, even canceling television appearances. It left audiences wondering: would Cosby make a statement? Apologize? Pull from public appearances entirely for some time?

In light of the statement from Bill Cosby’s lawyer, though, the answer is clear: he’s simply not going to respond.

[photo credit: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia]

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