A Los Angeles courtroom has delivered another setback to Bill Cosby.
The 88-year-old comedian’s request for a new trial was rejected Friday by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Bradley S. Phillips, upholding a jury verdict stemming from allegations made by Donna Motsinger.
Motsinger, now 84, said Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1972. A jury previously sided with her in the civil case, awarding damages of a reported $19.25 million. USA Today placed the total at $59.25 million, citing $40 million in punitive damages in addition to the other award.
Phillips ruled that Cosby had not shown trial problems serious enough to call the verdict into question, according to the report. The judge also said the damages were not unreasonably high and that jurors had enough evidence to connect Cosby’s conduct to Motsinger’s harm.
Motsinger alleged that she first encountered Cosby while she was working as a server at a restaurant he frequented. She said that, while going with him to one of his shows, he gave her wine and a pill she believed was “aspirin.” She alleged that she later faded in and out of consciousness before waking up at home in only her underwear.
Cosby has denied her account and has also denied similar accusations from other women who have alleged that he drugged and assaulted them.
Per TMZ, Cosby has said the judgment represents “one-third of his net worth.”
Cosby previously served nearly three years in prison in Pennsylvania before his criminal conviction there was overturned in 2021.