ENTERTAINMENT

Hugh Hefner: Allegations against Bill Cosby 'truly saddening'

The Associated Press Published Sunday, December 7, 2014 7:12PM EST

In this Feb. 27, 2008 file photo, Bill Cosby, right, and Playboy impresario Hugh Hefner greet each other at a party to announce the lineup of the 30th annual Playboy Jazz Festival, at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. (AP / Reed Saxon, File)

Text:

LOS ANGELES -- Hugh Hefner says he "would never tolerate" the kind of abusive behaviour Bill Cosby is being accused of.

The Playboy magazine mogul said in a statement Saturday that he considers Cosby a good friend and "the mere thought of these allegations is truly saddening."

Cosby has faced a flurry of allegations in recent weeks that he sexually assaulted more than a dozen women. One of the accusers, Judy Huth, filed a lawsuit last week claiming the comedian forced her into a sex act at the Playboy mansion when she was 15 years old.

Hefner, who lives at the mansion, said: "I would never tolerate this kind of behaviour, regardless of who was involved."