Bill Cosby might be a free man at the moment but his legal troubles are far from over.
Lili Bernard first came forward as an alleged victim of Cosby’s years ago and is now taking her case to a civil court. In a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey court, Bernard claims the 84-year-old drugged and raped her in 1990.
“I have waited a long time to be able to pursue my case in court and I look forward to being heard and to hold Cosby accountable for what he did to me. Although it occurred long ago, I still live with the fear, pain and shame every day of my life,” Bernard, said in a statement.
Bill Cosby just served over two years of a possible three to 10-year sentence after being found guilty of drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator, Andrea Constand in 2004. The comedian was released in July after the court ruled that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor’s agreement not to charge Cosby.
In Bernard’s lawsuit, she claims she met Cosby on the set of his hugely famous show, The Cosby Show where he offered to be her mentor for her acting career. The suit states that Cosby “looked upon Ms. Bernard as if she were his daughter.” He emphasized “that chastity was a virtue, warned her of the sexual pressures of Hollywood” and said she can call him “Daddy.”
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One day, during a mentoring session at a Trump Taj Mahal suite, Bernard alleges Cosby spiked her drink. According to her, she went in and out of consciousness, awaking “to find Mr. Cosby naked atop her.” She remembers telling Cosby “no.” The morning after the alleged rape, Bernard claims Cosby handed her money and secured her transportation back to New York.
“Mr. Cosby sexually assaulted, battered, and drugged Ms. Bernard on additional occasions,” the lawsuit alleges.
Bernard claims Cosby threatened to sue her for defamation if she ever went to the police. Furthermore, he threatened her career, claiming he would “erase” her if she reported the alleged abuse.
She claims to have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and more. According to the lawsuit, she’s seeking “an amount no less than” $25 million in damages.
