Bill Cosby Rape Allegations Latest News: Cosby Resigns As University Board Member, Chris Rock Speaks Up
Bill Cosby has decided to resign from the Board of Trustees at Temple University to avoid being a distraction for the establishment amid growing allegations of sexual assault.
"I have always been proud of my association with Temple University. I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students," Cosby said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees."
Cosby, the 77-year-old comedian, seemed to be the object of the world's affection as the television father known as Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" that aired in the 1980s and 1990s. While the show has managed to stay in syndication long after it stopped producing episodes, seemingly long-forgotten rape allegations have made their way back into mainstream media.
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Now, Cosby has announced that he will step down from being on Temple University's Board of Trustees. The comedian was once a student at Temple University, where he played football and track in the 60s. Two weeks ago, five women gave The Washington Post interviews about being sexually assaulted and drugged by Cosby years ago.
Frank Scotti, a former NBC employee and friend of Cosby, told The New York Daily News that he helped the comedian pay off women and even provided money orders to the publication as proof. While Cosby has remained relatively quiet about the subject, his attorney Martin Singer has continually denied the claims.
Still, some of the comedian's fellow entertainers believe in the veteran television star. Jill Scott, the singer and actress who was presented with an honorary Temple University doctorate degree from Cosby, took to Twitter to defend him.
"If this is true, he'll face his due just like everyone," she responded to fans in one tweet before writing, "I'm respecting a man who has done more for the image of Brown people that almost anyone EVER. From Fat Albert to the Huxtables."
Comedian Chris Rock has looked up to Cosby in his career and does not want to believe the claims.
"I hope it's not true. That's all you can say," Rock told New York Magazine. "I grew up on Cosby. I love Cosby, and I just hope it's not true. It's a weird year for comedy. We lost Robin, we lost Joan, and we kind of lost Cosby."
