Los Angeles, California — A Los Angeles judge ruled on May 29, 2026, to uphold a significant $59.25 million verdict against Bill Cosby, dismissing the entertainer’s claims that the damages were excessive and that he had received an unfair trial. At 88 years old, Cosby sought a new trial, arguing that the jury’s decision in a March civil case was unjust.
Judge Bradley Phillips confirmed that evidence presented during the trial sufficiently supported the jury’s conclusion regarding the damages suffered by plaintiff Donna Motsinger. Motsinger, who accused Cosby of drugging and assaulting her in 1972, filed her lawsuit under a California law that allows survivors of historical sexual abuse to seek justice even after many years.
In their appeal, Cosby’s legal team labeled the punitive damages — which account for roughly one-third of his net worth — as unreasonable for someone in his current condition, highlighting that he has been out of public life and has not faced new allegations in two decades. However, Judge Phillips found no irregularities warranting a new trial and rejected claims of jury bias, stating Cosby failed to prove any unfairness in the legal process.
The lawsuit stemmed from Motsinger’s allegations that Cosby befriended her while she worked as a server in Sausalito, California. During a trip to one of his performances, Motsinger said that Cosby provided her with alcohol and a pill that left her in and out of consciousness. She later regained consciousness at home, disoriented and in only her underwear.
In March 2026, a civil jury sided with Motsinger, awarding her damages after concluding that Cosby acted with malice. The jury’s decision included $17.5 million for past pain and suffering, $1.75 million for future non-economic damages, and $40 million in punitive damages, reflecting the severity of Cosby’s actions.
This verdict marks the latest legal setback for Cosby, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct from over 60 women. He experienced significant legal consequences when a jury found him guilty of drugging and assaulting Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2018, making him the first high-profile figure convicted during the #MeToo movement.
Cosby spent nearly three years in prison before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2021. In a separate case, another jury previously awarded Judy Huth $500,000 for sexual abuse she endured at the Playboy Mansion when she was just 16 years old.
Despite these legal challenges, Cosby’s spokesman indicated the defense plans to appeal the ruling. They reiterated their stance of his innocence, framing the judgment as influenced by external factors rather than the merits of the case.
For Motsinger, Judge Phillips’ ruling brings her closer to potentially collecting the awarded damages, although the prospect of prolonged appeals means that resolution could still be years away. The decision also serves as a pivotal moment for survivors of historical sexual abuse, underscoring the clarity with which courts are increasingly willing to address these long-simmering allegations.