Bill Cosby Found Guilty of Sexual Assault and Ordered to Pay Damages
Bill Cosby, the former star of “The Cosby Show,” was found guilty on Monday of drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger, a former waitress, over fifty years ago.
The court has ordered Cosby to pay a total of $59.25 million in damages. This includes $17.5 million for emotional trauma Motsinger has already suffered, $1.75 million for potential future emotional distress, and $40 million in punitive damages.
Jennifer Bonjean, Cosby’s attorney, expressed disappointment over the verdict but indicated plans to appeal.
Motsinger, now in her 70s, accused Cosby, who is currently 88, of drugging and raping her back in 1972 while she worked at The Trident, a well-known restaurant in Sausalito, California.
In addition, Motsinger has also filed claims against Cosby’s production company, Jemin Co., as well as Circle Star Theater. Her allegations suggest that these entities failed to protect guests from the actions of their performers. According to the documents, Jemin is deemed vicariously liable for Cosby’s conduct.
Motsinger recounts an incident where Cosby, a regular at The Trident, “followed” her home and invited her to a show at the Circle Star Theater. He picked her up in a limousine, where she was reportedly given a glass of wine. Documents state she began to feel unwell and, in that state, Cosby allegedly offered her what he claimed was aspirin.
The interactions escalated and, according to the complaint, Motsinger became unconscious in the limousine, recalling only flashes of light. She reported waking up at home, disoriented and without her clothing aside from her underwear, realizing something terrible had occurred.
Motsinger seeked damages for various consequences stemming from the assault, including lost wages and emotional suffering.
Her complaint also implicates Circle Star Theater for not intervening when she became unconscious, arguing that its staff should have been aware of her condition and provided assistance.
Motsinger has been one of several women who have accused Cosby over the years. Her case comes after she previously testified anonymously in another civil lawsuit against him in 2005, which was settled out of court.
Cosby was previously sentenced for sexual assault in 2018 but was released in 2021 when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction, citing a violation of a prior agreement with prosecutors.
The actor, who was once celebrated as “America’s Dad,” has consistently maintained his innocence amid these allegations and had been denied parole in May 2021. Allegations against Cosby have continued, including a recent lawsuit from former Playboy model Victoria Valentino, who claims he drugged and raped her in 1969.
