Bill Cosby Sex Assault Case Update: Comedian Replaces Attorney With Powerful LA Firm
Bill Cosby has parted ways with his longtime attorney and hired a powerful downtown Los Angeles law firm known for its roster of former federal prosecutors.
According to the LA Times, Martin Singer is out. In his place, Cosby has hired Christopher Tayback of Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. In addition to being a former Los Angeles County and federal prosecutor, Tayback is also the son of late TV actor Vic Tayback.
Most recently, Singer had been serving as Cosby's legal counsel in an ongoing civil suit brought against him by former Playboy bunny Judy Huth, who alleges the legendary actor drugged and sexually assaulted her more than 40 years ago when she was 15.
Earlier this month, Cosby was forced to submit to a deposition hearing in the case, where, as Huth's lawyer, famed civil rights attorney Gloria Allred grilled him for more than seven hours. Allred has since announced she will be requesting a second interrogation.
In all, the now 78-year-old Cosby has been accused of similarly preying on more than 50 women over a time frame that spans more than four decades. He has denied all the accusations and has never been criminally charged in connection with any of the alleged incidents.
On Tuesday, Singer hinted he was a bit surprised by the split, but added, "We are happy to assist in the transition."
Meanwhile, Allred added, "Mr. Cosby has decided to hire 700 lawyers to fight one woman. Mr. Singer has represented Mr. Cosby from the inception of Judy Huth's case until now. Only Mr. Cosby and/or his representatives would be able to comment on the reason that Martin Singer is no longer representing Mr. Cosby and why this change has been made."
The nature and extent of Allred's interrogation will not be publicly known until at least Dec. 22, when presiding Judge Craig D. Harlan will consider arguments from both sides as to how much from the proceedings should be released to the public.
Previously, attorneys for Cosby have argued that Allred is using the case for public attention. In all, she now represents 26 of Cosby's alleged victims.
Besides branding her story as "absolutely false," representatives for Cosby also claim Huth once tried to sell her story to the National Enquirer and another lawyer for her once tried to broker a $250,000 settlement with Cosby.
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