A woman named Donna Motsinger accused comedian Bill Cosby of allegedly drugging and raping her in 1972. Today, she was awarded $19.25 million in a civil suit against him, per TMZ. According to the outlet, Cosby, 88, was judged to be "liable for sexual assault and sexual battery." Motsinger got $17.5 million for "past mental suffering," plus another $1.75 million for "future suffering."
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Rolling Stone states that Motsinger is now 84 years old. She is reportedly an ex California waitress. The assault allegedly took place after Motsinger was given a glass of wine while she was a passenger in Cosby's limo, according to The Guardian.
Motsinger filed the lawsuit when the state of California revised its statute of limitations regarding sexual assault cases. Following the verdict, "she described the trial as a five-decade-long effort to get justice," per the outlet.
Motsinger Alleged That Cosby Gave Her Some Type of a Pill
Also per the outlet, Motsinger's complaint alleged that "Defendant Cosby used his enormous wealth, power, fame, and prestige, giving women like Ms. Motsinger access to a world of celebrities and entertainers." She claimed that after he gave her the wine in his limo, Cosby also offered her a pill. She thought it was an aspirin. Motsinger alleged that she then got woozy and finally awoke "in her home wearing only underwear and determining she had been raped."
He Fell Very Hard From the Pinnacle of Stardom and Success
The former entertainer had a long and highly successful career in show business. It was capped by his starring tole in the sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired on NBC for eight seasons. The program was wildly popular with audiences for the duration of its run.
But Cosby's reputation as a lovable husband and father on TV eventually took a massive hit. Accusations against him swirled, involving "dozens of women who have accused Cosby of drugging and sexual assault...." In fact, Cosby was actually in prison for three years. His incarceration arose from a conviction for sexual assault eight years ago. However, a higher court reversed the decision that landed him behind bars. Cosby was a free man by 2021.
According to The Guardian, he intends to appeal the verdict in Donna Motsinger's case. Over the years, Bill Cosby has denied the accusations of women who claimed he behaved inappropriately with them.
