Judge calls Cosby’s bid to subpoena reporter’s notes ‘frivolity’

A Manhattan federal judge ripped into beleaguered comedian Bill Cosby’s request for a New York Magazine’s reporter’s notes, calling it a “fishing expedition” and “wildly inconsistent” with the law.

Cosby’s lawyer, Marshall Searcy, appeared in court Tuesday to tell the judge that his wealthy client needed the notes and videos — tied to an article about the disgraced funnyman’s alleged sexual abuse of scores of women — to see the accusers’ body language and determine if they were “prompted” in telling their stories.

“The Cosby Show” star wants to know “if there are inconsistencies, if there were promptings,” Searcy told the judge. “Even the demeanor can be relevant in a defamation case.”

But Judge Paul Gardephe denied the request straight from the bench, calling it “misguided” and “bordering on frivolous.

“The subpoena in my judgment is a fishing expedition,” Gardephe said.“This is a misguided argument.”

The magazine published a story in July 2015 titled, “I’m No Longer Afraid: 35 Women Tell Their Stories About Being Assaulted by Bill Cosby, and the Culture That Wouldn’t Listen.”

The fallen star is accused of drugging women into unconsciousness before having sex with them.

Cosby, 78, was arrested on criminal charges late last year over one alleged incident in Pennsylvania by the Montgomery Count District Attorney’s Office.

Cosby also lobbed a similar subpoena request at Lincoln Square Productions over the television program, “Cosby, the Women Speak,” which aired on A&E Television Network.

“I think they have to be chastened by the decision,” said New York Magazine’s lawyer, David Korzenik, of Cosby’s lawyers’ pending fight with Lincoln Square Productions, which was also filed in Manhattan federal court.

Searcy declined comment.