Three women who say they were molested by Bill Cosby in the 1970s believe the confidential material could help their own case, and have filed a lawsuit

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Bill Cosby is seeking to keep the lid on material linked to a confidential 2006 settlement of a Philadelphia sex-assault lawsuit.

Cosby’s lawyers moved Tuesday to block a subpoena sent to a lawyer for the Philadelphia accuser by three women now suing Cosby for defamation in Massachusetts.

Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz accuse Cosby of defaming them by having his agents deny their claims that the actor had molested them in the 1970s.

They believe documents from the former Temple University employee’s lawsuit will help their cause. Andrea Constand accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his suburban mansion. However, her settlement with the actor is protected by a confidentiality agreement.

Cosby’s lawyers argued Tuesday that court confidentiality agreements “should not be set aside lightly”.

Defense lawyer George M. Gowen asked the Pennsylvania court to at least wait until a judge rules on Cosby’s bid to throw out the Massachusetts case. He also asked for the right to review and challenge any material set to be unsealed.

The motion was filed in federal court in Philadelphia.

Cosby, 77, has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

The Massachusetts plaintiffs are among dozens of women who have stepped forward in recent years with assault accusations against Cosby.