On Wednesday, the once beloved comedian Bill Cosby was formally charged in a 2004 sexual assault case. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Cosby appeared in Pennsylvania district court to face arraignment. Free on $1 million bail until trial, Cosby and his lawyers quickly denounced the charge as "unjustified" and vowed that the comedian would be "exonerated by a court of law."
As the controversy surrounding Cosby's alleged history of sexual abuse continues to grow, following years' worth of details that paint a disturbing portrait of the former Cosby Show star, the backlash will likely continue. However, despite rumors claiming the contrary, Cosby's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is apparently in no danger of removal.
"The answer is no," Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, tells Variety. "Once a star has been added to the Walk, it is considered a part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Because of this, we have never removed a star from the Walk." Adding that any given celebrity's "politics, philosophy, irrational behavior, outrageous remarks or anything like that" have never inspired such a removal before, Gubler reiterated that the honor is meant only to mark professional achievements in the entertainment field.
Cosby did not enter a plea during Wednesday's arraignment. The first hearing is currently scheduled for Jan. 14.
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