Current:Home > MarketsJoan Tarshis, one of Bill Cosby's 1st accusers, sues actor for alleged sexual assault-LoTradeCoin
Joan Tarshis, one of Bill Cosby's 1st accusers, sues actor for alleged sexual assault
View Date:2024-12-23 20:03:29
A woman who said Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her when she was a young comedy writer more than 50 years ago filed a lawsuit against the actor Thursday under a soon-to-expire New York law that gave victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits.
Joan Tarshis initially came forward with allegations against Cosby in 2014 that are repeated in the new lawsuit. Tarshis said Cosby drugged her and forced her to perform oral sex on him in 1969 or 1970, and then drugged and raped her during another encounter a year or two later.
The New York resident was living in California at the time of the first assault and had met Cosby through a mutual friend while he was starring in "The Bill Cosby Show," according to the lawsuit, filed in state Supreme Court in New York City.
A spokesperson for Cosby did not address the specifics of Tarshis's claims.
"Diddy, LA Reid, Steven Tyler, and now they circle back to this," spokesperson Andrew Wyatt said, referring to others recently sued under New York's Adult Survivors Act. "When is it going to stop?"
A list of the 60 Bill Sodby accusers,their reactions to his prison sentence
Joan Tarshis was one of Cosby's 1st accusers
Cosby, 86, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment by more than 60 women. He has denied all allegations involving sex crimes. He was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era and spent nearly three years at a state prison near Philadelphia before a higher court overturned the conviction and released him in 2021.
Tarshis was among the first accusers to speak publicly about Cosby, whom she met when she was 19 and just breaking into comedy writing. An interview she did with CNN newsman Don Lemon soon after she came forward drew a flurry of attention on social media, and an apology from Lemon. While on-air, the host suggested Tarshis could have bitten Cosby on his genitals during the first assault, something Tarshis said she hadn't thought of.
Tarshis previously sued Cosby in Massachusetts, where Cosby had a home. She was among seven women who filed defamation claims after Cosby branded them liars. The cases were settled in 2019.
The new lawsuit alleges assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. It seeks unspecified damages.
Cosby had been 'a father figure':Woman accuses him of drugging, sexually assaulting her in the '80s
Tarshis says she 'feared for her life' in lawsuit against Cosby
In it, Tarshis said Cosby invited her to meet with him at the studio lot where he was filming his show, under the pretense of working on a skit she was writing. Once in his bungalow, Tarshis said she fell unconscious after accepting a drink from Cosby and awoke to find him undressing her before forcing her to perform oral sex.
"Ms Tarshis was mortified and feared for her life," and returned to New York without telling anyone what happened, according to the lawsuit.
She next heard from Cosby in 1971, when he called her home, spoke with her mother, and invited her to his show at Westbury Music Fair, the lawsuit said.
"Though Ms. Tarshis was fearful at the prospect of seeing Cosby again, she had not yet told anyone, including her mother, of the prior sexual assault and she reluctantly agreed to meet with Cosby at the insistence of her mother," according to the lawsuit.
She said she lost consciousness in a limousine Cosby had arranged for them and awoke the next morning in a bed next to Cosby, who she said had undressed and raped her.
The Adult Survivors Act is set to expire next week.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org).
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Republican Gabe Evans ousts Democratic US Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado
- Why Sheryl Lee Ralph Should Host the 2024 Emmys
- The Best Amazon Prime Day 2024 Home Decor Deals You Need to Shop Right Now, Items Starting at $13
- DNA breakthrough solves 1963 cold case murder at Wisconsin gas station
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Oman says oil tanker's entire crew missing after ship capsized off coast
- Before the 'Golden Bachelor' divorce there was 'Celebrity Family Feud': What happened?
- Inside NBC's extravagant plans to bring you Paris Olympics coverage from *every* angle
- Police identify 7-year-old child killed in North Carolina weekend shooting
- When does Amazon Prime Day 2024 end? How to score last minute deals before it's too late
Ranking
- Panel advises Illinois commemorate its role in helping slaves escape the South
- Shaquille O’Neal Shares Advice for Caitlin Clark After WNBA Debut
- Georgia Appeals Court to hear arguments in December in Trump effort to disqualify Fani Willis
- ‘Of all the places': Deep red Butler, Pennsylvania, grapples with Trump assassination attempt
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- A man is convicted on all counts in a shooting that wounded 9 people outside a bar in Cleveland
- Fisherman breaks NY state record for species considered living dinosaur
- When does Amazon Prime Day 2024 end? How to score last minute deals before it's too late
Recommendation
-
These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
-
Pregnant Gypsy Rose Blanchard Shares Video of Her Baby’s Heartbeat
-
Paul Skenes was the talk of MLB All-Star Game, but it was Jarren Duran who stole the spotlight
-
Not having Pride Night didn’t exclude Rangers from hosting All-Star Game, Manfred says
-
LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
-
Race for Louisiana’s new second majority-Black congressional district is heating up
-
Whoopi Goldberg Shares Cheeky Story Behind Her Stage Name
-
Water conservation measures for Grand Canyon National Park after another break in the waterline