Once-beloved Temple University benefactor Bill Cosby has resigned from his alma mater's board of trustees in the wake of the ever-expanding sex abuse scandal that is plaguing the 77-year-old comedian and actor.
In a statement issued on Monday, Cosby said:
"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. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees."
Cosby attended Temple in the '60s and became a trustee in 1982. While several other universities have already broken ties with Cosby, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Temple had not disassociated itself from him. On Monday, Temple University officials released a concise statement about the resignation: "The Board of Trustees accepts Dr. Cosby's resignation from the board and thanks him for his service to the university."
Twenty women have come forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault. The first one was Andrea Constand, the former director of operations for Temple’s women’s basketball team, who sued Cosby in 2004 alleging he drugged and assaulted her. Cosby and Constand settled the case in 2006.
Cosby has never been charged with a crime. Cosby's lawyer Marty Singer has called the allegations "ridiculous" and said it's "completely illogical" that no one would have made reports to police.
IN-DEPTH
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