Camille Cosby Defends Husband From Sex Assault Claims

Camille Cosby is standing by her man.

In a statement obtained by NBC News, Bill Cosby's wife of 50 years insists that her comedian and sitcom star husband is the man that people thought they knew before nearly two dozen women publicly accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them (or attempting to) decades ago. The most recent allegation came from former supermodel Beverly Johnson, who wrote in an essay posted on VF.com that Cosby drugged her capuccino after lunch at his apartment in the mid-1980s.

"I met my husband, Bill Cosby, in 1963, and we were married in 1964," begins Camille's statement. "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.

READ: A timeline of the resurfaced claims against Bill Cosby

"A different man has been portrayed in the media over the last two months," Camille continued. "It is the portrait of a man I do not know. It is also a portrait painted by individuals and organizations whom many in the media have given a pass. There appears to be no vetting of my husband's accusers before stories are published or aired. An accusation is published, and immediately goes viral.

"We all followed the story of the article in the Rolling Stone concerning allegations of rape at the University of Virginia. The story was heart-breaking, but ultimately appears to be 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?"

Rolling Stone ultimately issued an apology for the various issues with the reporting in the aforementioned story, which recounted a student's claim about being gang-raped during a fraternity party.

Camille's statement comes after Cosby broke his silence (his attorneys have been responding to the various allegations as they've been reported) on the media firestorm over the weekend, telling the New York Post's Page Six via phone that he only expected to be treated fairly by "black media" in this case.

"Let me say this," the entertainer said. "I only expect the black media to uphold the standards of excellence in journalism and when you do that you have to go in with a neutral mind."

Asked how his wife was holding up, Cosby said, "Love and the strength of womanhood. Let me say it again, love and the strength of womanhood. And, you could reverse it, the strength of womanhood and love."

Then, as if on second thought, he concluded the conversation, referring to his lawyers: "They don't want me talking to the media."

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