The US comedian and actor Bill Cosby (88) has again been found guilty of sexual abuse and ordered to pay high compensation.
March 24, 2026, 04:19March 24, 2026, 04:19
Jurors in California found it proven in the civil trial that Cosby had abused an 84-year-old woman more than 50 years ago. The jury awarded the plaintiff damages of more than 19 million dollars (almost 15 million francs), as US media reported.
US comedian Bill Cosby has been convicted of sexual abuse several times.Image: keystone
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 lawsuit, Cosby is said to have invited the woman, who was then a waitress, to one of his shows in 1972, made her defenseless with alcohol and pills and abused her. A new California law allows sexual abuse damages suits to be filed without limitation by the statute of limitations.
It took 54 years to get justice, the plaintiff said after the verdict was announced, according to the New York Times. She hopes to 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 a criminal trial for sexual assault in 2018, but after almost three years in prison he was released in 2021. The conviction was surprisingly overturned due to a procedural error.
Cosby, who was once considered America’s model father, continued to face civil lawsuits. In 2022, a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of sexually abusing a 16-year-old in 1975 and awarded the plaintiff $500,000. (sda/dpa)