Weeks after allegations of rape and sexual misconduct came out surrounding legendary comedian and TV star Bill Cosby, his longtime friend and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is finally speaking out. In a statement released on Saturday, Dec. 6 (via The Hollywood Reporter), Hefner, 88, opted neither to condemn his pal nor to condone his alleged behavior.
“Bill Cosby has been a good friend for many years and the mere thought of these allegations is truly saddening,” Hefner said in the statement. “I would never tolerate this kind of behavior, regardless of who was involved.”
His comments come after Judy Huth came forward with a lawsuit against Cosby, 77, claiming he molested her in the Playboy Mansion in 1974 when she was just 15 years old. Former Playmate Victoria Valentino also spoke out in a Washington Post piece published in late November, claiming Cosby drugged and raped her in the wake of her 6-year-old son’s tragic death.
The famed TV dad has only spoken once since the accusations started, telling Florida Today, “I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn’t have to answer to innuendos. People should fact-check. People shouldn’t have to go through that and they shouldn’t answer to innuendos.”
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