Woman Who Says Bill Cosby Drugged and Raped Her in 1972 Wins Nearly $20 Million from Jury Award
A California jury has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman more than 50 years ago, awarding her $19.25 million in damages — a verdict that could grow even larger as a punitive damages phase of the trial begins later Monday.
After a nearly two-week trial in Santa Monica, jurors found the 88-year-old Cosby liable for the sexual battery and assault of Donna Motsinger. Jurors awarded Motsinger $17.5 million in past damages and $1.75 million for future damages, including mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, grief, anxiety, humiliation, and emotional distress.
What Happened Between Donna Motsinger and Bill Cosby?
Motsinger was a server at a restaurant in Sausalito near San Francisco who said in her lawsuit, filed in 2023, that Cosby had invited her to his stand-up comedy show at a theater in nearby San Carlos. She said Cosby gave her wine and what she believed was aspirin. "She woke up in her house with all her clothes off, except her underwear on — no top, no bra, and no pants," the lawsuit said. "She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby."
The jury also found that Cosby acted with "malice, oppression, or fraud" — a legal determination that opens the door to additional punitive damages in a later phase of the case that begins today.
Cosby did not testify at the trial, whose witnesses included Andrea Constand, the Temple University sports administrator he was convicted of sexually assaulting in a Pennsylvania criminal court in 2018. That conviction was overturned and Cosby was freed from prison after serving nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence.
Cosby's attorney Jennifer Bonjean said they are disappointed and fully intend to appeal the verdict. Cosby has consistently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct and maintains that any encounters were consensual.
@jifgang The Jury sided with Donna Motsinger, now 84, finding Cosby liable after she testified he incapacitated nd sexually assaulted her more than 50 years ago. The substantial judgement underscores the continuing legal consequences for Cosby.
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Motsinger's lawsuit echoed allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment made by at least 60 women against Cosby, all of which he has denied. In 2022, a jury in Santa Monica awarded $500,000 to a woman who said Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion when she was a teenager in 1975.
The punitive damages phase begins later today — meaning the total award could increase further before the case concludes.