Bill Cosby Loses Sex Assault Lawsuit and Faces a $19 Million Judgment
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A California jury found Bill Cosby liable for sexual assault and ordered him to pay $19 million in damages.
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A California jury determined that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted Donna Motsinger in 1972 after inviting her to attend one of his comedy shows, resulting in a $19 million judgment against him. The verdict marks another legal loss for Cosby, who has faced numerous sexual assault allegations spanning decades. Motsinger's case represents one of several lawsuits filed against the entertainer following the 2017 #MeToo movement, which renewed public scrutiny of decades-old accusations. The judgment adds to Cosby's legal and financial liabilities, though he has maintained his innocence in various cases. The case underscores the continued legal reckoning for figures accused of sexual misconduct during earlier eras of entertainment.
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A California jury found Cosby liable and imposed a $19 million judgment against him.
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<p>Donna Motsinger alleges she was drugged and raped by Cosby in 1972 after he gave her a glass of wine in his limo</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>A California jury found Bill Cosby guilty of sexual assault in a civil trial on Monday, awarding Donna Motsinger $19.25m in damages. Motsinger alleged in the case that while working as a restaurant server in 1972, she was drugged and raped by Cosby after he gave her a glass of wine in his limousine.</p><p>Motsinger sued Cosby after California amended its laws to change the statutes of limitations on when accusers can file sexual assault cases. In remarks <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/20...
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