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Comedian Bill Cosby
A sexual abuse lawsuit against the comedian Bill Cosby will continue after the California Supreme Court rejected his petition to review the case.
The civil case brought by Judy Huth accuses Mr Cosby of sexually assaulting her as a 15-year-old at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in the 1970s.
The 78-year-old is facing a series of sexual assault accusations dating back decades.
He has always maintained his innocence and has never been criminally charged.
Ms Huth alleges that Mr Cosby plied her with alcohol before sexually assaulting her.
The decision by the court means that Ms Huth’s lawyers will be able to question Mr Cosby under oath.
Her lawyer, Gloria Allred, described it as a “major victory” and says she intends to take a sworn deposition from the comedian within the next month.
Earlier in the week, the LA police department confirmed that it was investigating “certain complaints against him”.
Court documents relating to the case brought in 2005 Andrea Constand – an employee at Temple University in the 1970s – were published earlier this month, after the Associated Press news agency applied to a judge to have the sealed papers made public.
They revealed Mr Cosby had admitted obtaining Quaaludes from several doctors to give to women before sexual encounters, but did not take them himself.
Mr Cosby is now suing Ms Constand for breaching a confidentially agreement after the New York Times obtained a full copy of the deposition.
Dozens of women have accused the comedian of sexually assaulting them but most of the claims are barred by statutes of limitations. They restrict the length of time in which legal actions can be taken after an alleged crime has been committed.
The accusations, which Mr Cosby has described as “fantastical” and “uncorroborated”, have led to some of his stand-up shows being called off and the cancellation of some TV projects.
BBC