A jury in California has ordered Bill Cosby to pay $19.25 million in damages to a former waitress after finding that he drugged and sexually assaulted her more than five decades ago.
The civil case was brought by Donna Motsinger, now 84, who alleged that the incident occurred in 1972 after Cosby invited her to attend one of his comedy shows. According to court documents, Motsinger said Cosby picked her up from her home in a limousine and offered her wine along with a pill she believed to be aspirin.
She told the court that shortly after consuming the substances, she became incapacitated. Her legal filing stated that she began to lose consciousness and could only recall flashes of light before blacking out completely.
Motsinger further alleged that she later regained consciousness in her home, partially undressed, and believed she had been drugged and sexually assaulted. At the time, she was working as a waitress at the Trident restaurant in Sausalito, a popular spot known for attracting celebrities, including Cosby.
Cosby, now 88, has denied the allegations, maintaining his long-standing position that all encounters referenced in various cases against him were consensual. His legal team argued during the trial that Motsinger had no clear memory of the alleged incident, challenging the reliability of her account.
Following the verdict, Cosby’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, indicated that the decision would be appealed. The legal team is expected to contest both the findings and the amount awarded.
The jury’s decision relates to compensatory damages, and additional punitive damages could still be determined at a later stage, potentially increasing the total financial penalty.
This latest ruling adds to the long history of legal battles involving Cosby, whose reputation was significantly damaged after dozens of women came forward over the years with allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct dating back to the 1960s.
In 2018, Cosby was convicted in a separate criminal case in Pennsylvania and sentenced to prison. However, his conviction was overturned in 2021 on a technicality by the state’s highest court, leading to his release after nearly three years behind bars.
Despite the overturned conviction, civil cases such as this one have continued to move through the courts, allowing accusers to seek damages even when criminal convictions are not in place.
Cosby rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as the star of the hit television show The Cosby Show, becoming one of the most influential figures in American entertainment. However, the numerous allegations against him have overshadowed his legacy in recent years.
The outcome of the California case marks another significant development in the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the once-celebrated entertainer, as survivors continue to pursue accountability through civil litigation.
