Judge denies gag order, secrecy for accuser names in Cosby case

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid for a gag order by Bill Cosby's lawyers in a lawsuit alleging that the entertainer drugged and sexually molested a woman. <br/><br/>Judge

Friday, June 3rd 2005, 8:30 am

By: News On 6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid for a gag order by Bill Cosby's lawyers in a lawsuit alleging that the entertainer drugged and sexually molested a woman.

Judge Eduardo Robreno also denied a motion by the plaintiff's attorneys to keep secret the names of other women alleging similar assaults who might be called as witnesses. Robreno said those women could, however, seek confidentiality on an individual basis and he gave them 10 days to do so.

Cosby spokesman David Brokaw said attorneys for the entertainer will respond only in court papers. Attorneys for the plaintiff did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The plaintiff, a former Temple University employee, sued Cosby in March. Cosby's attorneys have said he considered himself a friend and mentor to the woman. He denied any assault but said he gave the woman an over-the-counter medication last year after she complained she was stressed.

In denying Cosby's bid to keep discovery phase information confidential, the judge said allegations during those proceedings might cause Cosby serious embarrassment but that alone did not justify such an order.