Bill Cosby has been ordered to pay more than $19 million in damages to rape accuser Donna Motsinger after a jury found that he drugged and sexually assaulted her more than 50 years ago.
A California jury announced a $19.25 million verdict on Monday, in its third day of deliberations, according to the New York Times.
Motsinger first filed a civil lawsuit against the “Cosby Show” alum in Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2023.
She claimed that Mr. Cosby, now 88, gave her wine and pills and then sexually assaulted her, rendering her unconscious after she appeared on his comedy show in 1972.
“She woke up in her home with all her clothes off except for her underwear, no top, no bra, no panties on,” Motsinger’s attorneys argued in court documents. “She knew Bill Cosby had drugged her and raped her.”
Cosby did not testify during the nearly two-week trial, but his attorney Jennifer Bonjean insisted the embattled comedian would appeal the jury’s decision.
“While we are obviously disappointed with the verdict, we believe we have a strong appeal and will pursue it,” she said after the verdict was announced.
Mr. Mottsinger praised the jury’s decision.
“It’s taken 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope this helps in some small way,” the former waitress said outside the Santa Monica courthouse.
Motsinger also called the $19 million in damages “a bonus,” stressing how important it is that Cosby “is believed” and that Cosby “has to be held accountable in some way for what he did to me.”
The jury also awarded Motsinger punitive damages, but the amount has not yet been determined, according to the Times.
Still, the $19.25 million judgment is considered a steep amount for the former “Fat Albert” star.
In a deposition related to Motsinger’s civil suit last fall, Cosby claimed he was in financial trouble because of his sudden fall from grace.
“I haven’t worked in about 10 years, maybe more, because of the allegations in newspapers, radio, television, magazines, or just on the Internet,” he said at the time.
“That means, other than reruns, I haven’t made a dime as an entertainer, author, or TV performer. My net worth has dwindled like a submarine without a motor,” Cosby added.
Monday’s ruling is the second sexual assault lawsuit Cosby has lost in recent years.
A civil jury in Santa Monica previously found the comedian guilty of sexually abusing another victim, Judy Huth, at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 when she was just 16 years old. He was ordered to pay Hughes $500,000.
Mr. Cosby also reached a $3.5 million settlement with his accuser, Andrea Constand, in 2006 over sexual assault allegations, and in 2019 with seven other accusers who said Mr. Cosby misrepresented their accusations and defamed them.
The former sitcom star was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 after allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting Constand in 2004.
He was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison, but served just three years before his conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021 due to procedural issues with an agreement with previous prosecutors.
Cosby’s former attorney, Andrew Wyatt, told Page Six in a statement following Monday’s $19 million verdict that he was “deeply saddened by this verdict.” “This sets a dangerous precedent by allowing 10-year-old claims presented without any proof or evidence to stand.”
“Public opinion appears to have been heavily manipulated against Mr. Cosby, making a fair trial nearly impossible. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. and Mrs. Cosby during this difficult time. They should enjoy their golden years in peace.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call our Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
