Bill Cosby’s Lawyers Fight Wife’s Deposition in Defamation Suit

Lawyers representing seven women who accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault are seeking to depose the entertainer's wife in a federal defamation lawsuit filed in Springfield, Mass., reports the Associated Press.

Cosby's lawyers on Friday filed a motion to block the subpoena against his wife, Camille, arguing that "information from the couple's private conversations is privileged," CNN writes. They also argue that she has no firsthand knowledge of issues in the suit.

But the seven women want to depose Camille Cosby because she was her husband's business manager, the report says. She was subpoenaed to be deposed Jan. 6 at a hotel in Springfield.

The seven women are among about 50 who over the last year have accused Cosby of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact in charges that date back decades. They allege in the suit that Cosby allowed his representatives to paint them as liars after they went public, the report says.

Earlier this week, the 78-year-old actor filed a countersuit against the women, saying that they made false allegations for financial gain, according to AP. Further, he accused the women of engaging in a "campaign to assassinate" his reputation and character, notes the report.

Read more at the Associated Press and CNN.