Bill Cosby has been ordered to pay $19.25 million in damages to a woman he drugged and then sexually assaulted, a California jury decided on Monday. The verdict, reached in Santa Monica, marks the latest legal challenge for the once-beloved comedian, whose career has been largely derailed by numerous accusations of misconduct.
The lawsuit was brought by 84-year-vintage Donna Motsinger, who testified that the assault occurred in 1972 after Cosby invited her to one of his performances. Motsinger, who worked as a waitress at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito, near San Francisco – a popular celebrity hotspot – claimed Cosby offered her a ride in his limousine, where he gave her wine and a pill that caused her to lose consciousness. She awoke in her home wearing only underwear, believing she had been drugged, and assaulted.
According to court documents, Motsinger “knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby.”
Cosby, now 88, has consistently denied all allegations against him. His legal team has already announced plans to appeal the ruling. This case is part of a broader wave of lawsuits that have plagued Cosby in recent years, significantly impacting his legacy in the entertainment industry. The outcome of this case underscores the growing accountability for decades-old allegations of sexual assault, and continues a difficult chapter for the actor and the entertainment world.
The initial award of $19.25 million was later increased to $59.25 million, including $40 million in punitive damages.
