Bill Cosby Cuts Ties With Attorney Martin Singer Amid Growing Sex-Abuse Scandal

Embattled comedian faces accusations from dozens of women

Bill Cosby
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Bill Cosby is making a change of lawyers as the sexual assault scandal surrounding him grows ever wider.

The scandal-plagued comedian has cut ties with powerhouse attorney Martin Singer, who has represented him for years, as dozens of women lob accusations against the former “The Cosby Show” star, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap.

Cosby’s new attorney is Christopher Tayback, a former prosecutor, who is now with the firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan.

Singer had been representing Cosby in a lawsuit brought against him by Judy Huth, who alleges that Cosby sexually molested her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974, when she was 15.

Earlier this month, Cosby underwent a seven-hour deposition related to the suit. The contents of the deposition will remain unavailable to the public until at least December 22, as the deposition is reviewed to determine what may or may not be made public.

Singer confirmed to TheWrap that he and Cosby had parted ways but declined to say why, citing attorney-client privilege.

“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,” Gloria Allred, who’s representing Huth, said in a statement. “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. We look forward to continuing our legal battle on behalf of Ms. Huth and this change will not impact our vigorous advocacy on her behalf.”

A source close to the matter told TheWrap that Singer had some difficulty retaining female clients because of his representation of the scandal-scarred comedian.

In the past year, Cosby has been accused of rape or sexual assault by dozens of women, many of whom claim that he drugged them beforehand. The TV legend faces multiple lawsuits, including defamation suits filed by accusers who say that they were defamed by comments made by Singer and others in the media.

Singer has strongly denied the allegations made against Cosby in the past.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.




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