Playboy boss Hugh Hefner is "truly saddened" about allegations embattled actor Bill Cosby molested a young girl at the publishing mogul's party palace in the 1970s.

Judy Huth is the latest in a long line of women to accuse The Cosby Show star of sexual abuse over recent weeks, claiming earlier this week (begs01Dec14) that Cosby had molested at the Playboy Mansion in 1974, when she was aged 15.

Huth filed a civil suit against Cosby, and the funnyman's attorney filed a countersuit asking for the case to be dismissed.

Former Playboy bunny P.J. Masten has also come forward as an alleged victim of Cosby's, and her former boss Hefner admits he is upset about the saga.

He says, "Bill Cosby has been a good friend for many years and the mere thought of these allegations is truly saddening... I would never tolerate this kind of behaviour, regardless of who was involved."

The Los Angeles Police Department has opened an investigation into Huth's claims and will reportedly search Hefner's estate for evidence.

Cosby has yet to comment on the allegations, but his legal representatives continue to deny any wrongdoing on his part. A number of shows on his stand-up tour have been postponed or cancelled in the wake of the scandal.