Bill Cosby, once revered as "America's Dad," is now grappling with new accusations of sexual assault that may potentially derail his aspiration to revive his shattered career, according to sources within the entertainment industry.
The latest lawsuit was filed by Victoria Valentino, a former Playboy model, accusing the 85-year-old comedian of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1969 after a dinner outing in Los Angeles.
Victoria, 80, emphasizes, "It’s not about money. It’s about accountability. Rape steals something from you that cannot be repaired or restored.”
The public persona of Cosby has been drastically altered since 2005, when numerous allegations of drug-facilitated sexual assault emerged against him. This led to his conviction and imprisonment in 2018 for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004 while she was employed at Temple University in Pennsylvania.
Despite being released on a technicality in 2021, Cosby still confronts a deluge of legal difficulties. Last year, a Los Angeles jury awarded Judy Huth $500,000 in a civil suit supporting her claim of being sexually exploited by Cosby at the Playboy Mansion in 1975, when she was just 16. A group of five other alleged victims continues their civil litigation against Cosby in New York, asserting charges of sexual assault.
Cosby's plan to initiate a comedy tour, a supposed comeback following his release from prison, has been met with significant skepticism from industry insiders.
An inside source reveals, "Bill continues to maintain his innocence in all of these cases, and his dream has been to get back onstage to relive his glory days telling jokes, and also clear his name."
However, due to ongoing litigation and controversy, no comedy club or theater appears willing to associate with Cosby, the source reveals. The new lawsuit may signal the demise of Cosby's career, with venue owners worrying about potential public protests outweighing any interest in Cosby's performances.
Andrew Wyatt, Cosby's spokesman, criticized both Valentino's lawsuit and the 'lookback' laws that allow complainants to file lawsuits regardless of the case's age. Wyatt claims that Valentino “has skirted from town to town” with her allegations “without any proof or facts.” He adds: “What graveyard can Mr. Cosby visit in order to dig up potential witnesses to testify on his behalf?”
Despite these setbacks, Wyatt insists that Cosby is "far from finished" and intends to bring humor and laughter to the world with messages like, 'Rape is no joke' and 'Rape is not the new word for regret.' ”
The National Enquirer reported on the sources' comments.