The denial was not a surprise to the comedian, a spokesman said.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Parole Board has turned down comedian Bill Cosby’s petition to be released from a 10-year prison sentence for aggravated indecent assault, citing his refusal to participate in therapy program for sexually violent predators.
Laura Treaster, a spokeswoman for the state parole board, confirmed the decision, which was made on May 11 and first reported on Thursday by Nicole Weisensee Egan, author of the book “Chasing Cosby,” on her Facebook page.
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt told NBC News that his client expected to be turned down.
“The news that Actor and Comedian Bill Cosby’s parole has been “denied” by the Pennslyvania State Parole Board is not a surprise to Mr. Cosby, his family, his friends, and/or his legal team,” Wyatt said in a statement. “It was brought to our attention by Mr. Cosby that over the past months, members of the PA State Parole Board had met with him and empathically stated, ‘if he did not participate in SVP [Sexual Violate Predator] courses that his parole would be denied.'”
“Mr. Cosby has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and continues to deny all allegations made against him, as being false, without the sheer evidence of any proof,” the spokesman added.
Cosby, now 83, would have become eligible for parole on Sept. 25 after completing the three-year minimum term of his sentence. He was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison and designated a sexually violent predator on September 25, 2018, after being convicted earlier in the year of the rape of Andrea Constand, his former friend at Temple University, in 2004.
The once-beloved comedian known as “America’s Dad” has been serving his sentence in the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix, a suburb in Philadelphia.
Treaster said the board would not consider Cosby for parole again unless he completes the sexually violent predator therapy. He must also overcome a recommendation against parole from the state Department of Corrections and maintain a clear conduct record. Cosby was also told to develop a “parole release plan.”
She said the reasons for the negative recommendation by the Corrections Department, and Cosby’s prison conduct record, are not public information.
Cosby had a hearing before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in December on the appeal of his conviction. The court has not yet ruled, and there is rarely any advance notice.
“Today, Mr. Cosby continues to remain hopeful that the Pennslyvania State Supreme Court will issue an opinion to vacate his conviction or warrant him a new trial,” Wyatt said.
The spokesman added his client is doing as well in prison as can be expected.
“He’s cool as a cucumber,” Wyatt said.