In a court motion on Friday, 79-year-old comedian Bill Cosby asserted that he intends to resume his career once litigation surrounding numerous sexual assault allegations against him draws to a close.
Cosby is being sued for defamation by several alleged victims in federal US court in Massachusetts. As part of the litigation, the plaintiffs are seeking Cosby's business records, including deals arranged with Creative Artists Agency.
Cosby's lawyer, Angela Agrusa, filed a motion on Thursday objecting to the disclosure, saying it would jeopardise Cosby's ability to negotiate future contracts.
"When Mr Cosby is cleared from all liability and charges, and the impact of Plaintiffs' defamatory conduct has subsided, he expects to resume his career, and there is no reason to believe otherwise," Agrusa wrote.
"But disclosure of this type of financial and business information is irreversible. Even after his name is cleared, if released to the public, this information would improperly restrain his employment and tie his hands for renegotiation."
Cosby is also facing criminal charges stemming from a 2004 incident in Pennsylvania. His lawyers in that case have said that he is legally blind. More than 50 women have come forward with sexual assault accusations against the entertainer.
