Woman who sued Bill Cosby for sexual battery awarded $19.2 million

Woman who sued Bill Cosby for sexual battery awarded $19.2 million

Verdict in Southern California civil case marks new milestone in ongoing legal battles

A civil jury in Southern California delivered a $19.2 million settlement to a woman who claimed Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her over five decades ago, according to her legal team. The ruling came in a case involving Donna Motsinger, who alleged the actor committed sexual battery in 1972 by abusing a server he met at a Northern California restaurant. The verdict, announced Monday, does not yet include punitive damages, which are still under consideration.

Cosby, 88, has consistently denied the accusations, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. His former representative expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating in a

“deeply saddened” statement that the decision “sets a dangerous precedent for allowing decade-old claims, lacking evidence, to be accepted.”

The case highlights the persistence of allegations against the entertainer, even as his legal team continues to challenge their validity.

While this verdict focuses on Motsinger’s claims, Cosby’s legal history includes a separate 2018 conviction in Pennsylvania for three counts of aggravated indecent assault. That conviction, based on the 2004 drugging and assault of Andrea Constand, was overturned in 2021 when the state Supreme Court ruled he had been denied his right to remain silent during trial. Cosby has never wavered in his assertion of innocence, insisting he “has not changed my stance or my story” in any of the cases.

Tim Stelloh, a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, reported on the developments. The latest award underscores the continued impact of Cosby’s alleged misconduct, as plaintiffs seek justice through multiple legal avenues.