In , multiple allegations emerged that Bill Cosby , an American media personality, had sexually assaulted dozens of women throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honorary degrees throughout his career , many of which have since been revoked. There had been previous allegations against Cosby, but they were dismissed and accusers were ignored or disbelieved. Cosby has been accused by over 60 women of rape , drug-facilitated sexual assault , sexual battery , child sexual abuse , and sexual harassment.
The earliest incidents allegedly took place in the mids. Assault allegations against Cosby became more public after a stand-up routine by fellow comedian Hannibal Buress in October , alluding to Cosby's covert sexual misbehavior; thereafter, many additional claims were made.
The dates of the alleged incidents have spanned from to in ten U. Amid the allegations, numerous organizations severed ties with Cosby and revoked honors and titles previously awarded to him. Media organizations pulled reruns of The Cosby Show and other television programs featuring Cosby from syndication. Ninety-seven colleges and universities rescinded honorary degrees. Most of the alleged acts fall outside the statute of limitations for criminal legal proceedings, but criminal charges were filed against Cosby in one case and numerous civil lawsuits were brought against him.
As of November , eight related civil suits were active against him. The full transcript of his deposition was released to the media by a court reporting service. In December , three Class II felony charges of aggravated indecent assault were filed against Cosby in Montgomery County , Pennsylvania , [ 13 ] based on allegations by Constand concerning incidents in January Cosby's first trial in June ended in a mistrial.
Supreme Court to hear the case, [ 21 ] but on March 7, , the petition was denied, making the decision of the state supreme court final. In , Judy Huth had filed a civil suit against Cosby in California, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her in , when she was 16 years old. The trial began in , and the jury ruled in Huth's favour. The earliest allegation against Bill Cosby dates back to December in , Kristina Ruehli [ 25 ] came forward as Jane Doe 12 in the Andrea Constand case and alleged that Cosby had drugged and assaulted her at that time in his Beverly Hills home.
