Entertainment

Bill Cosby using courts to bully accuser, lawyer says

A lawyer for the accuser in Bill Cosby's criminal sex assault case says Cosby is using the courts to bully her client and other trial witnesses.

Comedian suing several people in fight against sex assault allegations

Bill Cosby arrives at court to face a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Elkins Park, Pa. Cosby was charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home 12 years ago. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)

A lawyer for the accuser in Bill Cosby's criminal sex assault case says Cosby is using the courts to bully her client and other trial witnesses.

Cosby has sued accuser Andrea Constand for talking to police who reopened the 2005 case last year.

Andrea Constand, who accuses Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting her, walks in a park in Toronto, on Dec. 30, 2015. (Mark Blinch/Reuters)

He says that violated the confidential settlement of her civil lawsuit. Cosby therefore wants the woman to return the settlement money.

Cosby also sued Constand's mother and lawyers in the complaint he initially filed under seal Friday.

Constand lawyer Dolores Troiani in a response this week says the secret filings are an effort by Cosby to create a "shadow court system" that is free from public scrutiny.

The Cosby Show star sued Constand a day before a key hearing in his criminal case.