Bill Cosby $60M Verdict: Jury Liable in Civil Trial

Bill Cosby Ordered to Pay Nearly $60 Million in Sexual Assault Civil Trial

A California jury found the comedian liable for the 1972 assault of Donna Motsinger, awarding millions in punitive and compensatory damages.

Sofia Chen

Mar 24, 2026, 5:43 AM PT · 2 min read

Bill Cosby — Photo: The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

California jury finds Bill Cosby liable for 1972 sexual assault of Donna Motsinger.
Verdict delivered March 23, 2026, totals nearly $60 million in damages.
Award includes $17.5 million past, $1.75 million future, and $40 million punitive damages.
Bill Cosby's legal team confirmed they intend to appeal the jury's decision.

In a landmark civil decision, a California jury has found Bill Cosby liable for the sexual assault of Donna Motsinger occurring more than 50 years ago. On Monday, March 23, 2026, the jury delivered a verdict that concludes a high-stakes legal battle over a 1972 incident. The panel awarded Motsinger a total of $59.25 million, marking one of the largest financial judgments against the former television star to date.

The massive financial award is broken down into three distinct categories to address the life-long impact on Motsinger. The jury designated $17.5 million for past damages and $1.75 million for future damages. The most significant portion of the payout, however, comes from $40 million in punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

Despite the jury's clear ruling, the legal battle may continue in the appellate courts. A spokesperson for Cosby confirmed that his legal team intends to appeal the decision. This civil case follows years of headlines for Cosby, who previously saw a criminal conviction vacated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021 before facing this most recent trial in California.