Bill Cosby Found Liable for Sexual Assault

Bill Cosby was found liable by a California jury for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972. The jury awarded Motsinger $59.25 million, including $40 million in punitive damages and $19.25 million for past and future mental trauma.

Motsinger, now 84, testified that Cosby invited her to his stand-up comedy show and gave her wine and pills she thought were aspirin. She claimed to have no memory of the events afterward but woke up at home naked except for her underwear, knowing she had been drugged and raped by Cosby.

Motsinger was a server at The Trident, a now-closed restaurant in Sausalito, California, where Cosby and other celebrities would frequent. She said that Cosby 'intentionally deprived' her of 'freedom of movement' by 'fraudulently and deceitfully drugging and sedating her without her knowledge or consent to the point of unconsciousness.'

Cosby's legal team argued that Motsinger's allegations rested on speculation and assumption, stating that she admitted to having no idea what happened. Despite his denials, the jury found him liable for sexual battery and assault.

Motsinger also filed complaints against Cosby’s production company, Jemmin, Inc., and the Circle Star Theater for failing to ensure her safety. According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Motsinger claimed that Jemmin, Inc. was vicariously liable for Cosby's actions and guilty of fraud, oppression, and malice.

Cosby has been accused of sexual assault by at least 60 women. He has denied each of the allegations against him, and in a deposition for the case last year, he said the allegations have caused financial strain. 'Due to allegations, whether they be newspaper, radio, television, magazines or just plain internet, I have not worked in about 10 years, or more,' Cosby said in the deposition. 'That means I have not earned a cent through my being an entertainer, a writer, a television performer, except in reruns, and my net worth has gone down like a submarine with no motor.'

Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in 2018, spending three years in prison before the conviction was overturned in 2021 because of an agreement not to prosecute. His conviction is known to be the first celebrity conviction during the peak of the #MeToo era, launched by activist Tarana Burke.

'It has been 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit,' Motsinger said outside the courthouse on Monday. She also added that 'he in some way has to be accountable for what he did to me.'