The Associated Press is asking a Philadelphia judge to unseal court papers from Bill Cosby's 2005 sexual assault lawsuit. Now the comedian and actor's lawyer is fighting back and said it would be "terribly embarrassing" for Cosby if the documents were released, the Associated Press reports.
The lawsuit in question was brought by Andrea Constand, the former Temple University employee who said Cosby allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted her at his home, according to Reuters. The suit was settled in a Philadelphia court for an undisclosed amount and remains confidential.
Cosby's lawyer, George M. Gowen III, said that the comedian's deposition would reveal details of his marriage, sex life and prescription drug use, according to the AP.
"It would be terribly embarrassing for this material to come out," Gowen argued. "Frankly, ... it would embarrass him, (and) it would also prejudice him in eyes of the jury pool in Massachusetts."
Gowen's client currently has more than 40 rape allegations against him, and three women have a case against him in the state of Massachusetts. His lawyer also argued that Cosby is not considered a public official, so there was no "public interest" in releasing the documents, according to Reuters. The AP's lawyer, Gayle Sproul, contended that Cosby was an "icon" in the Philadelphia area.
U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno did not say when he would rule. He could side with either party or meet at a middle ground and release a part of the material.
