Attorneys for the entertainer and comedian Bill Cosby plan to ask a federal court judge to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against the comedian in Massachusetts.

The suit was filed by three women who said he called them liars when they accused him of sexual assault.

Cosby, 77, and attorneys for the women said that they met twice this month with an eye toward resolving the lawsuit filed in US District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts.

They also said they would file a motion to dismiss by Friday.

The lawsuit contends that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted the three in the 1970s and later called them liars when confronted about the claims.

The entertainer, who has been open about his Christian faith, has faced a string of allegations about his sexual conduct towards women. Appearances have been cancelled and his reputation has been severely tarnished. However, he has also had high-profile supporters including his wife, who said in a statement in December, "He is the man you thought you knew."

More than a dozen women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct. He has never been criminally charged and through his lawyers has denied all the sexual assault claims.

Over the past month he has canceled scheduled standup performances in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and California.

Additional reporting by Reuters.