How Cosby Silenced an Accuser's Story

A look at what went down with the 'National Enquirer'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 27, 2014 3:01 PM CST
How Cosby Got a Tabloid to Drop an Accuser's Story
In this Nov. 6, 2013 file photo, Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Stand Up for Heroes event at Madison Square Garden in New York.   (John Minchillo/Invision/AP, File)

More details about the National Enquirer story Bill Cosby managed to spike nearly a decade ago are emerging, via newly surfaced court records. The entertainer testified under oath in 2005 that he gave the tabloid an exclusive interview about looming sexual-assault accusations Andrea Constand was making against him, and in exchange the Enquirer killed a second accuser's story. Excerpts released yesterday of Cosby's deposition from a civil lawsuit filed by Constand quote Cosby as saying he feared the public would believe her sexual-assault accusations if the Enquirer published similar claims by Beth Ferrier. Both women accused Cosby of drugging and molesting them.

"Did you ever think that if Beth Ferrier's story was printed in the National Enquirer, that that would make the public believe that maybe Andrea was also telling the truth?" Cosby was asked. "Exactly," Cosby replied, according to court motions initially filed under seal and made available from archived federal court records. Cosby, in the deposition, said he had a contract with the Enquirer. "I would give them an exclusive story, my words," Cosby said in the Sept. 29, 2005, deposition. In return, "they would not print the story of—print Beth's story." Meanwhile, Tennessee's Freed-Hardeman University yesterday announced that Cosby was no longer invited to appear at a Dec. 5 benefit dinner; Dr. Ben Carson has replaced him, reports the AP. (More Bill Cosby stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X