Donna Motsinger, who accused Bill Cosby of rape, granted $19 million in a civil trial

Bill Cosby Ordered to Pay $19 Million for Sexual Assault

Bill Cosby has been mandated to pay over $19 million to Donna Motsinger, who accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her over 50 years ago. A California jury reached this conclusion after three days of deliberation, delivering a verdict of $19.25 million.

Motsinger initially brought her civil lawsuit against the former “Cosby Show” star in September 2023 in a Los Angeles court. She alleged that Cosby, now 88, gave her wine and medication, subsequently assaulting her following an appearance on his comedy show in 1972.

According to her attorneys, Motsinger woke up in her home with most of her clothing removed, recognizing that she had been assaulted. They argued that she was aware of what had happened to her.

Cosby did not take the stand during the nearly two-week trial, but his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, indicated that they plan to appeal the jury’s verdict. She expressed disappointment with the outcome but maintained that they believed in the strength of their appeal.

Motsinger expressed gratitude for the jury’s ruling, stating it’s been a long journey for justice. She acknowledged that while it might not bring complete resolution for all victims, she hopes it serves as a small step forward.

In her remarks outside the courthouse, she referred to the $19 million judgment as “a bonus,” emphasizing the importance of being believed and holding Cosby accountable for his actions. The jury also determined punitive damages for Motsinger, though that amount remains unspecified.

In past depositions, Cosby mentioned facing severe financial difficulties due to his tarnished reputation, claiming he hadn’t earned income as an entertainer for many years, apart from reruns of his shows.

This latest ruling marks the second loss for Cosby in a sexual assault case in recent years. Previously, he was found liable for sexually abusing Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 when she was 16, leading to a $500,000 award for Huth. Additionally, Cosby settled with Andrea Constand for $3.5 million in 2006 over separate allegations and reached agreements with seven other accusers in 2019.

Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 related to an incident involving Constand in 2004 but had his conviction overturned in 2021 due to legal technicalities.

Following the recent verdict, Cosby’s former attorney expressed that it sets a troubling precedent for cases based on older allegations with little to no supporting evidence, lamenting the negative impact of public opinion on the possibility of a fair trial for Cosby.