85-year-old comedian, Bill Cosby, is facing yet another legal battle as former Playboy model Victoria Valentino has filed a lawsuit accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her.
The alleged incident took place in 1969, after Valentino had dinner with Cosby.
Cosby’s release from prison in 2021, following the overturning of his sexual assault conviction, has given Valentino the opportunity to pursue justice through a civil suit.
Under a California law that has temporarily lifted the statute of limitations in sexual assault cases, she aims to hold Cosby accountable for his actions.
In her lawsuit, Valentino claimed that after ingesting pills provided by Cosby, she and her friend were taken to a nearby office where she later became unconscious.
Upon awakening, she alleged that she was assaulted by Cosby despite expressing her desire to leave.
The filing stated that she was “incapable of consent”, “physically helpless” during the incident and begged to be allowed to “go home”.
80-year-old Valentino is seeking unspecified damages, as well as court and attorney fees. The BBC has reached out to Cosby for comment on the matter.
Addressing the trauma inflicted upon her, Valentino emphasized the lasting impact on not only herself but also her children and grandchildren.
By speaking out and seeking justice, she hopes to leave a legacy for her family and inspire other survivors who have yet to find their voices.
She said in a statement shared by US media; “By breaking my silence and speaking my truth, I hope this serves as my legacy to my family, and shows those survivors who have yet to find their voices, that hope and healing are possible.”
In response to the lawsuit, a representative for Cosby, Andrew Wyatt, dismissed Valentino’s claims, stating that they lacked proof or facts and highlighted inconsistencies in her statements.
Once known as “America’s Dad” for his role in the 1980s hit sitcom The Cosby Show, Cosby’s reputation crumbled when numerous women came forward with allegations of rape, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct spanning several decades.
Throughout the accusations, Cosby has maintained his innocence, asserting that all of his encounters were consensual.
In 2018, Cosby was convicted of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand.
However, the conviction was overturned due to an agreement he had reached with a previous prosecutor in 2005, which barred him from being charged.
In a separate civil case last year, a California jury found Cosby liable for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in 1975, resulting in a $500,000 (£399,000) damages award.
