Bill Cosby Found Liable For 1972 Drugging & Rape; Jury Awards $59M To Victim
Deadline • • general
Key Points:
- A California jury has ordered Bill Cosby to pay $59.25 million to Donna Motsinger, who accused him of drugging and raping her in 1972, including $40 million in punitive damages following an earlier $19.25 million award.
- Motsinger, who sued Cosby in 2023 after changes to California’s statute of limitations, expressed hope that the verdict would empower other survivors seeking justice.
- Cosby, 88, has announced plans to appeal the verdict, and given his reported financial difficulties, it is uncertain if Motsinger will receive the awarded compensation soon.
- The trial included testimony from Andrea Constand and other women who accused Cosby of sexual assault, adding to a long history of allegations against the former comedian.
- Cosby has faced multiple legal battles, including a 2018 conviction for rape overturned in 2021, and a 2022 civil verdict ordering him to pay $500,000 to Judy Huth for a 1975 sexual assault.
