Bill Cosby’s wife defends him: ‘He is the man you thought you knew’

Camille Cosby, the wife of entertainer Bill Cosby, has finally broken her silence about the accusations of sexual assault made by several women against her husband, defending him and comparing the media coverage to Rolling Stone magazine’s problematic story about an alleged rape victim at the University of Virginia.

“There appears to be no vetting of my husband’s accusers before stories are published or read,� Cosby said in a statement. “An accusation is published, and immediately goes viral.�

Cosby’s comment largely addresses the distinction between Cosby’s long-standing fatherly image and his recent portrayal by several women as a predator who drugged and assaulted them.

“I met my husband, Bill Cosby, in 1963, and we were married in 1964,� the statement begins. “The man I met, and fell in love with, and whom I continue to love, is the man you all knew through his work. He is a kind man, a generous man, a funny man, and a wonderful husband, father and friend. He is the man you thought you knew.

“A different man has been portrayed in the media over the last two months. It is the portrait of a man I do not know. It is also the portrait painted by individuals and organizations whom many in the media have given a pass.�

She then referenced the controversy surrounding the recent article in Rolling Stone regarding the account of a University of Virginia student who said she was attacked and raped by several members of a fraternity. After the article was published, the magazine issued a statement saying there were “discrepancies� in the alleged victim’s story and that the account could no longer be trusted.

Said Cosby of the Rolling Stone article. “The story was heart-breaking, but ultimately proved to be untrue. Many in the media were quick to link that story to stories about my husband — until that story unwound.

“None of us will ever want to be in the position of attacking a victim. But the question should be asked — who is the victim?�