Bill Cosby Update: Comedian Claims He Didn’t Settle Defamation Suit With Seven Accusers

The seven women that have a defamation suit against Bill Cosby have reached a settlement but the comedian claims it was done without his knowledge or consent. Andrew Wyatt, the press representative for Cosby, told CNN that insurance company AIG reached the settlement without the approval of the 81-year-old.

"Mr. Cosby did not settle any cases with anyone," Wyatt said in a statement to the news outlet. "He is not paying anything to anyone, and he is still pursuing his counterclaims. AIG decided to settle these cases, without the knowledge, permission and/or consent of Mr. Cosby. Mr. Cosby vehemently denies the allegations brought against him in these defamation suits and he maintains his innocence.”

The settlement according to Cosby, “makes them look corrupt and exposes my innocence.” He vehemently denies the allegations against him, despite serving three to 10 years for the drugging and sexual assault of Andrea Constand.

"AIG showed that they're a part of the corruption against me, by paying off these distractors, without my knowledge, without my permission and/or without my consent," Cosby said in a statement to CNN though Wyatt. "I, [Bill Cosby], will never settle any defamation claim, I will continue to pursue my counterclaims, and I will not relinquish AIG from its responsibility in defending my defamation claims."

The women in the case, Tamara Green, Therese Serignese, Linda Traitz, Louisa Moritz, Barbara Bowman, Joan Tarshis, and Angela Leslie, claim in their defamation suit that Cosby damaged their reputation by the statements he made to the media through his representatives. According to the women’s complaint, Cosby called their claims of sexual abuse "absolutely false," "uncorroborated," and "fabricated.”

Cosby filed a countersuit in 2015 against the women alleging that they made "malicious, opportunistic, and false and defamatory accusations of sexual misconduct against" him. Cosby’s countersuit may still be allowed to move forward after the settlement, CNN reported.

AIG spokesperson, Matthew Gallagher told CNN in a statement that “Certain insurance policies provide insurers with the authority to resolve claims when the insured has been informed.”