A California jury has awarded more than $19 million in damages to a woman who accused Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting her in the early 1970s, marking one of the latest legal setbacks for the once-celebrated entertainer.
The plaintiff, identified as Donna Motsinger, filed a civil lawsuit in 2023 alleging that Cosby gave her a drink and a pill that left her unconscious following a comedy show in 1972. She testified that she later awoke partially clothed with no memory of what happened, believing she had been assaulted.
After deliberating for several days, jurors found Cosby liable for sexual assault and sexual battery. The panel awarded approximately $19.25 million—often rounded to $19.3 million—including $17.5 million for past emotional distress and $1.75 million for future suffering.
The jury also determined that Cosby acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud,” opening the door for additional punitive damages that could increase the total award.
Motsinger, now in her 80s, said the verdict brought a sense of validation after decades of waiting. She described the decision as a form of accountability and expressed hope that it would encourage other survivors to come forward.
Cosby, 88, did not testify during the trial. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining his longstanding denial of all allegations and arguing that the case was unfair.
The case is part of a broader wave of civil lawsuits made possible by changes to California law that temporarily expanded the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims. It also adds to decades of accusations against Cosby, many involving claims of drug-facilitated assault, which he has consistently denied.
Cosby was previously convicted in 2018 in a separate criminal case involving another accuser, though that conviction was overturned in 2021 due to procedural issues.
This latest verdict underscores the continuing legal and financial consequences facing the former television star as civil cases tied to decades-old allegations continue to move through the courts.
s
