Victoria Valentino, an 80-year-old former Playboy model, has come forward with a lawsuit against Bill Cosby under a new California law that suspends the statute of limitations on sex abuse claims. In her legal filing, Valentino, who was an actress and singer when she met Cosby 54 years ago, recounts the distressing events that took place at the comedian’s home in 1969.
The encounter began when Cosby approached Valentino at a Los Angeles cafe, where she was grieving the recent drowning death of her 6-year-old son. Cosby offered her solace by suggesting a spa treatment, arranging for a chauffeured car, and taking them out for dinner. It was during this meal that Cosby allegedly handed Valentino and her friend pills, assuring them it would make them feel better. Unbeknownst to them, the pills had a different and sinister purpose.
Later, upon reaching Cosby’s house, Valentino blacked out on a couch and, when she regained consciousness, witnessed her friend being sexually assaulted by Cosby. Shockingly, Valentino herself became a victim of his actions while she was still incapacitated due to the drugs administered.
These allegations follow similar lawsuits filed last year by six Cosby accusers in New York, utilizing a “lookback” law that allows adults to pursue sexual abuse cases despite the expiration of the statute of limitations. Cosby, who has faced accusations from over 60 women of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, has consistently denied all claims related to sex crimes.
Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesperson, responded to Valentino’s lawsuit by questioning its legitimacy, claiming a lack of evidence or facts. Wyatt also criticized the constitutionality of “lookback” laws, stating they violate the rights of both crime victims and those accused.
Valentino’s lawsuit, seeking unspecified punitive damages, has been filed in LA County Superior Court, nearly two years after Cosby’s release from prison due to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturning his 2018 sexual assault conviction. The court found that Cosby had provided incriminating testimony under the assumption of immunity, despite no evidence supporting such protection being found by the trial judge and intermediate appeals court.
Earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury awarded $500,000 to another woman who accused Cosby of sexual abuse at the Playboy Mansion when she was a teenager in 1975. Furthermore, seven additional accusers reached a settlement with Cosby’s insurers following the Pennsylvania conviction, resolving a defamation lawsuit that alleged Cosby and his agents had disparaged them while denying their abuse allegations.
In her pursuit of justice, Valentino is requesting a jury trial to address the claims made against Cosby, aiming to shed light on the alleged abuse and seek punitive damages. This legal action serves as a testament to the enduring impact of the #MeToo movement and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
