Bill Cosby seeks dismissal of 3 accusers' defamation suit

Bill Cosby's lawyers have submitted a motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought against the comedian by three of the women who accuse him of sexual assault.

Accusers Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz are suing for defamation, alleging he called them liars when they came forward with their allegations, the New York Post reported.

Cosby's Hollywood power lawyer Martin Singer said that the law does not require that one stand idly by while he is publicly attacked. Instead it entitles an individual who is accused of serious wrongdoing to rebut the allegations without facing defamation claims. Singer noted that Cosby denies each and every one of the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled at him, adding the trio's suit is a misuse of the law of defamation to attempt an end run around the relevant statutes of limitations for the alleged assaults.

The papers Singer filed in Massachusetts further stated that while each plaintiff claims she was "branded" a liar, not one was called a liar. The women have until March 20 to respond.

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