Bill Cosby Ordered To Pay Nearly $60m In Damages After Being Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault

Post By Emmie
March 24, 2026

A California jury has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972, awarding her nearly $60 million in damages after a civil trial in Santa Monica. The case was brought by Donna Motsinger, who is now in her 80s, who filed a lawsuit in 2023. She said Cosby assaulted her while she was working as a restaurant server in Northern California in her 30s.

According to the lawsuit, Cosby invited her to one of his stand-up shows and gave her wine along with pills she believed were aspirin. She later described drifting in and out of consciousness while being placed into a limousine.

“She woke up in her house with all her clothes off,” the lawsuit said. “She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby.”

After nearly two weeks of testimony, jurors ruled in Motsinger’s favour. She was awarded $17.5 million in past damages and $1.75 in future damages, along with an additional $40 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to just over $59 million.

Speaking after the verdict, Motsinger said: “I have carried the weight of what happened to me for more than 50 years. It never goes away. Today, a jury saw the truth and held him accountable. That means everything. I hope this gives strength to other survivors who are still waiting for their moment to be heard.”

Cosby, 88, did not testify during the trial. His legal team rejected the claims, arguing that the case relied on speculation and that Motsinger “freely admits that she has no idea what happened”. A former representative also said he was "deeply saddened" by the outcome and warned it could set a troubling precedent for older allegations.

Cosby’s lawyer has confirmed plans to appeal the decision.

Once seen as a major figure in American entertainment and known as “America’s Dad,” Cosby’s reputation has been overshadowed in recent years by accusations from dozens of women. He was previously convicted in 2018 over a separate case involving Andrea Constand, but that conviction was later overturned, leading to his release after nearly three years in prison.

Motsinger’s case is one of several cases that have been made possible after changes to California law allowed older sexual assault claims to be brought forward.