Bill Cosby reached a settlement with Andrea Constand for $3.5million back in 2006, according to reports.
The widely publicized civil settlement reached its conclusion at the same time that the disgraced funnyman, now 80, escaped prosecution, but the amount had not been publicly released, according to the New York Post.
Cosby will endure an April retrial for three counts of aggravated sexual assault on Constand. A maximum sentence of 10 years is attached to each sentence.
Bill Cosby reached a settlement with Andrea Constand for $3.5million back in 2006
He had denied that the 2004 assault, that allegedly took place at his Pennsylvania home, ever took place in his first defense which eventually led to jurors failing to reach a verdict.
This time around, Cosby will try to claim that Constand is money hungry and that is her only motivation for coming forward.
Over 50 women have stepped forward claiming Cosby has conducted sexual misconduct against them, all of which he has denied.
Cosby will endure an April retrial for three counts of aggravated sexual assault on Constand
Former Montgomery County DA Bruce Castor (right) failed to indict Cosby in 2006 but his successor, Kevin R. Steele (left), was quick to charge the comedian when he took over in 2016
Former Montgomery County DA Bruce Castor failed to indict Cosby in 2006, citing Constand’s credibility and evidence. The civil settlement was met with Castor encouraging that Constand seek ‘civil remedies.’
His successor, Kevin R. Steele, hasn’t taken the same position since taking office in 2016.
Constand claims that on one visit to the star’s home, he gave her three blue pills then told her to have some wine
‘That man is a serial abuser. He selects his victims, he gives them an intoxicant and he assaults them,’ Steele said of Cosby, pointing to him in court after he brought new charges against the comedian.
The now 44-year once considered Cosby her mentor and was a former pro-basketball player in Europe.
She claims that on one visit to the star’s home, he gave her three blue pills then told her to have some wine.
‘My vision became blurry and I could hardly speak,’ Constand said. ‘I became frozen and paralyzed, and he was touching my breasts and put his hands down my pants.’
The woman adds that Cosby then used his fingers to penetrate her and put her hand on his erect member.
But Cosby claims that their relationship was consensual and only took a turn for the worse when he couldn’t get her a job as a sportscaster at the 2004 Olympics.
His lawyers will now be claiming that Constand simply had her ‘nuisance’ lawsuit to get her hands on the small chunk of Cosby’s $500million.
In addition to the new trial, Cosby’s lawyers also hope to put Foxwoods Casino Resorts manager Thomas Cantone on the stand. They also hope to put Sheri Lynn WIlliams, a friend of Constand, on the stand, going against their previous strategy of not using any witnesses
‘We want the civil suit,’ included in the new trial said Andrw Wyatt, a spokesman for the married comedian.
Judge Steven O’Neill will rule this week on whether the settlement will be included in proceedings when they start on April 2.
In addition to the new trial, Cosby’s lawyers also hope to put Foxwoods Casino Resorts manager Thomas Cantone on the stand. They also hope to put Sheri Lynn WIlliams, a friend of Constand, on the stand, going against their previous strategy of not using any witnesses.
Williams will detail how Constand was aware that Cosby was interested in her, a claim that the woman refuted
Cosby hopes Cantone will speak to Constand voluntarily going up to the comedian’s hotel room and brought him gifts on occasion. He’ll also supposedly claim that she lit a fire and got close with Cosby on his bed.
Constand asserted that there was no other place to sit except for on the bed.
Williams will detail how Constand was aware that Cosby was interested in her, a claim that the woman refuted.
Temple employee Marguerie Jackson will also be called to witness that Constand told her that it was a ‘set up’ to get a payday from Cosby.
But Constand claims to not even know the woman.