USA Civil lawsuit against Bill Cosby - jury imposes million-dollar fine
US comedian and actor Bill Cosby (88) has once again been found guilty of sexual abuse and sentenced to pay high compensation. A jury in California found it proven in the civil trial that Cosby had abused a woman, now 84 years old, more than 50 years ago. The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of more than 19 million dollars (over 16 million euros), as reported by US media.
24.03.2026, 00:47
SDA
Cosby did not appear in person at the trial, but denied the allegations through his defense attorney and in a sworn statement.
Serious allegations
According to the statement of claim, Cosby allegedly invited the woman, who was working as a waitress at the time, to one of his shows in 1972, made her defenceless with alcohol and pills and abused her. A new Californian law allows claims for damages for sexual abuse to be brought without being restricted by a statute of limitations.
It took 54 years to get justice, said the plaintiff after the verdict was announced, according to the "New York Times". She hopes that this will also help other women a little. Cosby's legal team announced that they would appeal.
Dozens of women have accused the TV icon, known for the sitcom "The Bill Cosby Show", of abuse as part of the MeToo movement. He has always denied the allegations.
Almost three years in prison
The comedian was sentenced to several years in prison in 2018 in a criminal trial for sexual assault, but was released in 2021 after almost three years in prison. The conviction was surprisingly overturned due to a procedural error.
Cosby, who was once regarded as America's model father, was then confronted with further civil lawsuits. In 2022, a jury in Los Angeles found him guilty of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl in 1975 and awarded the plaintiff 500,000 dollars.
