Bill Cosby files suit against 7 accusers

Bill Cosby's lawyers filed a lawsuit Monday against seven women who claim the comedian sexually assaulted him, defamed him, and caused him to lose an upcoming television appearance.

Angela Leslie, Barbara Bowman, Joan Tarshis, Linda Traitz, Louisa Moritz, Tamara Green, and Therese Serignese claim Cosby drugged or sexually assaulted the women with some claims dating back to the 1960's.

Bowman, who lives in Scottsdale, spoke out in November of 2014 about an incident where she claims Cosby drugged and raped her. Bowman says for years she struggled to get people to take her story seriously.

Cosby's suit that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts denies the comedian ever drugged or sexually assaulted the women listed in his counter-claim. The lawsuit lists that Cosby is suing the women for defamation, tortuous interference and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Joseph Cammarata, an attorney representing the women, said Cosby's counter-suit "stinks of retaliation."

"To suggest that these ladies -- each and every one of them -- got together and orchestrated a campaign against Mr. Cosby is hard to fathom," Cammarata said.

Cosby's attorneys say he is seeking punitive damages and compensation for lost business contracts and damage to his career.

Monique Pressley is representing the comedian, said the women's "multidecade-old, false, uncorroborated, opportunistic allegations of sexual assault have caused and continue to cause him to suffer substantial injuries and damages" to his reputation and business contracts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.