AIG SUES BILL COSBY TO AVOID LIABILITY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES

AIG Property Casualty has sued US comedian Bill Cosby in federal court in Boston, asserting that it is not responsible for his defense costs in lawsuits in which dozens of women claim he sexually assaulted them. Cosby bought the homeowners’ and personal excess policies a year ago before the torrent of accusations became public. While the policies reportedly contain clauses that would require AIG to pay for defense costs in personal-injury lawsuits against Cosby, AIG said in its court filing that the policies also include provisions that exclude payments in lawsuits that involve accusations of “sexual misconduct” and “sexual molestation or corporal punishment.” Also named as defendants in the case are Tamara Green, Therese Serignese and Linda Traitz, three of Cosby’s accusers who are also suing him for defamation for allegedly calling them liars. Cosby quietly settled a 2006 sexual assault case in Pennsylvania, but since late last year, numerous women have come forth with similar accusations that they were sexually assaulted after being drugged by him.