Further damages to woman he drugged and raped

Bill Cosby has been ordered to pay an extra $40million to a woman he drugged and raped more than 50 years ago.

The punitive damages come on top of the $19.25million the jury previously ordered him to pay for the past and future mental suffering.

Donna Motsinger, now 84, said Cosby gave her wine and a pill that left her incapacitated backstage at one of his comedy gigs. 

The former comedian denied the claims, with his lawyers reportedly arguing that  the ex-waitress 'freely admits that she has no idea what happened’ – and will seek an appeal.

Motsinger told how she met Cosby at a restaurant where she worked, with the comic then inviting her to a stand-up show in 1972.

Her testimony said Cosby gave her what she believed was an aspirin – and the next thing she remember was waking up almost naked in her house.   

Yesterday's decision by a jury in Santa Monica means the cmic will have to pay Motsinger a total of  $59.25million (£44.1million)

Dozens of women have filed civil and criminal cases against Cosby, 88, who continues to maintain all the encounters were consensual.

He was freed from prison in Pennsylvania in 2021 nearly three years into a sentence for sexual assault after his conviction was thrown out on a technicality.

Published: 25 Mar 2026