Woman who sued Bill Cosby for sexual battery awarded $19.2 million
Woman who sued Bill Cosby for sexual battery awarded $19.2 million
A Southern California civil jury awarded Donna Motsinger $19.2 million on Monday in a 2023 lawsuit, according to her attorney. The verdict stems from claims that Cosby sexually abused her over five decades ago, with the case filed in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County Superior Court. Motsinger alleged that the entertainer committed sexual battery against a server he encountered at a Northern California restaurant in 1972.
“The verdict sets a dangerous precedent to allow decade-old allegations, presented without evidence or proof, to stand,” said a former representative of Cosby, expressing deep sadness over the outcome.
Cosby, 88, has consistently denied the accusations. His legal team argued that the evidence against him was insufficient. This award comes after Cosby’s conviction in a Pennsylvania criminal trial in 2018 on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. However, the conviction was overturned in 2021 when the state Supreme Court ruled he had been denied his right to remain silent during the trial.
Previous Legal Battle and Conviction
In 2018, Cosby was found guilty of drugging and assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004, leading to felony charges. The case was later reversed, with the court citing procedural errors in his self-incrimination defense. Cosby maintained his innocence throughout, stating he never altered his account of events.
Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
