Bill Cosby Ordered to Pay $60 Million in 2026 Civil Verdict

A California jury found Bill Cosby liable for a 1972 sexual assault, awarding Donna Motsinger $59.25 million in a major civil victory.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:09 AM EDT

Source: People

The 2026 Motsinger Verdict

After a two-week trial in Santa Monica, the jury awarded Motsinger, 84, a total of $59.25 million in damages. The breakdown of the award includes:

$17.5 million for past non-economic damages (mental suffering and grief).

$1.75 million for future non-economic damages.

$40 million in punitive damages, after the jury found Cosby acted with "malice, oppression, or fraud."

Motsinger, a former waitress, testified that Cosby drugged her with wine and pills in 1972 before assaulting her. "It has been 54 years to get justice," she stated following the verdict. Cosby did not testify during the proceedings, and his legal team has already signaled plans to appeal.