Major Controversies Surrounding Bill Cosby: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Bill Cosby.

Bill Cosby is a retired American comedian, actor, and media personality, notable for his success in stand-up, television (particularly 'The Cosby Show'), and advertising. Initially celebrated as a pioneer for African Americans in entertainment and admired for his 'America's Dad' image, Cosby's career and reputation were destroyed by dozens of sexual assault allegations beginning in 2014. These allegations led to his conviction, imprisonment, and subsequent release after his conviction was vacated, drastically altering his legacy.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 1965: Earliest Allegation Against Cosby

In December 1965, the earliest allegation against Cosby surfaced when Kristina Ruehli alleged that Cosby had drugged and assaulted her in his Beverly Hills home. She came forward publicly in 2005.

1965: Beginning of Alleged Assaults

In November 2014, multiple women came forward accusing Bill Cosby of assaults alleged to have started around 1965.

1969: Ladd Allegedly Drugged and Assaulted

In January 2015, Cindra Ladd alleged that Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1969.

1975: Alleged Sexual Assault of Judy Huth

In 2014, Judy Huth filed a civil suit against Bill Cosby alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 1975, when she was 16 years old.

1984: Alleged Incident with Beth Ferrier

In 1984, Cosby allegedly drugged Beth Ferrier's coffee, and she awoke with her clothes partially removed. Ferrier made these allegations public in July 2005.

1986: Bowman reports alleged assaults

Around early 1986, Barbara Bowman, then an aspiring model and actress, reported two incidents wherein she alleged that Bill Cosby attacked her after becoming her mentor. She claimed she escaped his attacks and that Cosby later subverted her career.

1986: Johnson alleges drugging during audition

In November 2014, Beverly Johnson alleged that in 1986 she was drugged by Cosby during an audition, and that she knew other women with similar accounts.

1990: Cosby Demanded Wendy Williams be fired

In 1990, during her radio show, Wendy Williams referred to sexual assault allegations against Cosby that had been published in the National Enquirer tabloid. Cosby called her boss in the middle of the broadcast demanding that Williams be fired.

1996: Victoria Valentino's Allegations

In 1996, Playboy Playmate Victoria Valentino gave a videotaped interview making sexual assault allegations against Cosby, but the interview was never published.

1997: Autumn Jackson's Extortion Conviction

In 1997, Autumn Jackson, who claimed to be Cosby's illegitimate daughter, was convicted of extortion after she threatened to make her claims public in the Globe tabloid.

January 28, 2000: Alleged incident with Lachele Covington

On January 28, 2000, at his Manhattan townhouse, Cosby allegedly tried to put Lachele Covington's hands down his pants and then exposed himself. Covington filed a criminal complaint against Cosby on February 1, 2000.

February 1, 2000: Lachele Covington Files Criminal Complaint

On February 1, 2000, Lachele Covington filed a criminal complaint against Cosby alleging that on January 28, 2000, he had tried to put her hands down his pants and then exposed himself in his Manhattan townhouse. The D.A. declined to prosecute.

January 2004: Andrea Constand's Accusation

In January 2004, Andrea Constand accused Cosby of drugging and fondling her.

May 2004: Public Remarks on African American Priorities

In May 2004, Bill Cosby made public remarks critical of African Americans who prioritized sports, fashion, and "acting hard" over education, self-respect, and self-improvement. He also delivered the Pound Cake speech, advocating for better morals education for children.

2004: End of Alleged Assaults

In November 2014, multiple women came forward accusing Bill Cosby of assaults alleged to have occurred until around 2004.

February 2005: District Attorney Declines to File Criminal Charges

In February 2005, District Attorney Bruce Castor declined to file criminal charges against Cosby regarding allegations made by Andrea Constand, citing insufficient evidence. This decision was later cited as a factor in overturning Cosby's conviction in 2021.

February 2005: No Charges Filed in Constand Case

In February 2005, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania's District Attorney said there would be no charges in the Andrea Constand case due to insufficient evidence.

March 2005: Constand Files Civil Claim

In March 2005, Andrea Constand filed a civil claim against Cosby.

July 2005: Beth Ferrier's Allegations

In a July 2005 Philadelphia Daily News interview, Beth Ferrier alleged that in 1984 Cosby had drugged her coffee and she awoke with her clothes partially removed.

2005: Andrea Constand files civil suit against Cosby

In 2005, Andrea Constand filed a civil suit against Bill Cosby, which would later lead to the unsealing of court records in July 2015.

2005: Kristina Ruehli Came Forward

In 2005, Kristina Ruehli came forward as Jane Doe #12 in the Andrea Constand case and alleged that Cosby had drugged and assaulted her in December 1965.

2005: Publication of "Is Bill Cosby Right?"

In 2005, Michael Eric Dyson wrote "Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?", critiquing Cosby's views on poverty and crime. Cornel West defended Cosby's remarks as compassionate and aimed at encouraging positive change.

Is Bill Cosby Right?: Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?

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June 9, 2006: Philadelphia magazine publishes article about allegations

On June 9, 2006, Philadelphia magazine published an article by Robert Huber detailing Andrea Constand's allegations, along with similar stories from other women alleging they were drugged and sexually assaulted. The article, titled "Dr. Huxtable & Mr. Hyde," also presented Barbara Bowman's allegations.

November 1, 2006: Details of Bowman's allegations published

On November 1, 2006, Philadelphia magazine published details of Barbara Bowman's allegations of drug and sexual assault against Bill Cosby. Bowman reported two incidents that happened around early 1986, wherein she was eighteen years old and working as an aspiring model and actress after her agent had introduced her to Cosby and he had become her good friend and mentor, saying that she escaped his attacks, returned home to Denver and Cosby thereafter subverted her career.

November 2006: Cosby Settles Out of Court with Constand

In November 2006, Cosby settled out of court with Andrea Constand for an undisclosed amount.

2006: Cosby's attorney releases statements dismissing allegations

In 2006, following renewed public attention to allegations against Bill Cosby, his attorney dismissed the accusations as "unsubstantiated." Cosby and Constand, who had a civil settlement in 2006, clarified that a prior statement did not refer to Constand's case.

2008: Comments on Crime and African American Youth

In a 2008 interview, Bill Cosby discussed high crime rates and the disproportionate number of young African American men being murdered and jailed in cities like Philadelphia and Chicago. Following Barack Obama's election, Cosby expressed skepticism about its impact on onscreen diversity.

2013: Criticism of the Republican Party

In a 2013 CNN interview, Bill Cosby criticized the Republican Party's views on socioeconomic and racial issues. His social commentary led to the unsealing of documents in a previous civil suit, sparking renewed interest in older allegations of sexual assault.

October 16, 2014: Hannibal Buress addresses Cosby's legacy in comedy routine

On October 16, 2014, during a comedy routine in Philadelphia, Hannibal Buress criticized Bill Cosby's moralizing by stating, "Yeah, but you raped women, Bill Cosby, so that kind of brings you down a couple notches."

November 2014: Cosby responds to allegations

In November 2014, Bill Cosby responded to a question about the allegations against him by saying, "I don't talk about it."

November 2014: Multiple women accuse Cosby of assault

In November 2014, following Hannibal Buress's remarks, several women, including Janice Dickinson, Louisa Moritz, and others, publicly accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault allegedly committed between 1965 and 2004. Charlotte Laws also accused Cosby of assaulting a friend in a Salon article.

2014: Wendy Williams Recalled Radio Show Incident

After the allegations resurfaced in 2014, Wendy Williams recalled that during her radio show in 1990, she referred to sexual assault allegations against Cosby that had been published in the National Enquirer tabloid.

2014: End of Advertising Roles Due to Allegations

In 2014, Cosby ceased appearing in advertising roles following widespread publicity of sexual assault allegations against him.

2014: Huth files civil suit against Cosby

In 2014, Judy Huth filed a civil suit against Bill Cosby in California, alleging sexual assault in 1975.

2014: "Conversations" Exhibit at the National Museum of African Art

In 2014, The Cosbys' collection of African-American art was displayed in "Conversations", an exhibit at the National Museum of African Art. The show became controversial due to sexual assault allegations made against Cosby.

January 2015: Cindra Ladd alleges drugging and sexual assault

In January 2015, Cindra Ladd alleged that in 1969, Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her.

May 2015: Cosby states he's never seen anything like the allegations

In May 2015, Bill Cosby commented on the allegations against him, stating, "I have been in this business 52 years and I've never seen anything like this. Reality is a situation and I can't speak."

May 2015: Lili Bernard claims sexual assault

In May 2015, Lili Bernard claimed that in the early 1990s, Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her, and that she was interviewed by police in Atlantic City, New Jersey, regarding the allegation. The lack of a statute of limitations for rape in New Jersey raised hopes for charges, though it was unclear if the alleged assault occurred there.

July 2015: Petition launched to revoke Cosby's Medal of Freedom

In July 2015, PAVE: Promoting Awareness and Victim Empowerment, launched a WhiteHouse.gov petition calling for President Barack Obama to revoke Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom.

July 2015: Court records from Constand's civil suit unsealed

In July 2015, court records from Andrea Constand's 2005 civil suit against Bill Cosby were unsealed, including Cosby's deposition where he admitted to casual sex with young women involving the use of methaqualone (Quaalude).

July 27, 2015: New York magazine features Cosby's accusers

On July 27, 2015, New York magazine's cover displayed images of 35 women alleging assault by Bill Cosby. They shared their stories about being assaulted by Bill Cosby, and the culture that wouldn't listen. The cover implied there may be more victims and highlighted the similarities in the alleged assaults, often involving Cosby offering a spiked drink.

September 17, 2015: A&E broadcasts 'Cosby: The Women Speak'

On September 17, 2015, A&E broadcast the documentary 'Cosby: The Women Speak,' featuring interviews with thirteen alleged victims. By October 24, nearly sixty women had accused Cosby of sexual abuse, describing him as a "sociopath" and "serial rapist."

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2015: Ebony magazine releases issue about Cosby allegations

In 2015, Ebony magazine released an issue with the allegations against Bill Cosby as the cover story, discussing the impact of The Cosby Show and the question of separating Bill Cosby from Cliff Huxtable. The cover depicted a photograph of the Huxtables with a cracked frame.

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2015: Shawn Upshaw Brown's Renewed Allegations

In 2015, Shawn Upshaw Brown, with whom Cosby admitted to having an extramarital affair in the 1970s, went into more detail with her renewed allegations in an interview.

April 26, 2018: Cosby found guilty of aggravated indecent assault

On April 26, 2018, following a jury trial, Bill Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand.

May 3, 2018: Expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

On May 3, 2018, Bill Cosby was expelled as a member of the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences due to breaches of conduct.

September 25, 2018: Cosby sentenced to prison

On September 25, 2018, Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to ten years in state prison and a $25,000 fine. He was moved to SCI Phoenix in Skippack Township, Pennsylvania, where he was confined to a single cell.

2018: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" pulled from radio stations

In late 2018, the Christmas song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was pulled from several radio stations amid controversy over lyrics perceived to promote sexual predation. Susan Loesser blamed Bill Cosby for backlash against lyric "say, what's in this drink?".

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January 28, 2019: Cosby moved into general prison population

On January 28, 2019, Bill Cosby was moved from administrative segregation into the general population at SCI Phoenix.

December 10, 2019: Verdict upheld by Pennsylvania Superior Court

On December 10, 2019, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction on the initial level of appeal.

June 23, 2020: Pennsylvania Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal

On June 23, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to hear a further level of appeal of Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction, focusing on the admissibility of testimony from prosecution witnesses and a deposition where Cosby admitted to giving Quaaludes to women.

June 30, 2021: Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns Cosby's conviction

On June 30, 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosby's conviction, citing violations of his due process rights. The court pointed to a 2005 agreement where a prosecutor declined to file criminal charges, leading Cosby to testify in a civil lawsuit.

November 2021: District Attorney files papers with Supreme Court

In November 2021, the District Attorney filed papers with the Supreme Court of the United States seeking to have the Court consider whether to overturn the decision of the state supreme court regarding Bill Cosby's overturned conviction.

2021: Attempted Post-Prison Comeback

Following his release from prison in 2021, Bill Cosby attempted to make a comeback, with plans for a comedy tour, a five-part docuseries, and a book release, but later put them on hold due to ongoing legal problems.

January 2022: Cosby's attorney files response urging Supreme Court decline review

In late January 2022, Bill Cosby's attorney filed a response urging the Supreme Court to decline review of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to overturn Cosby's conviction.

March 7, 2022: Supreme Court declines to review Pennsylvania court decision

On March 7, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that overturned Bill Cosby's conviction.

2022: Release of "We Need to Talk About Cosby" Documentary

In 2022, W. Kamau Bell released the Showtime documentary "We Need to Talk About Cosby," which explores Cosby's life, career, and sexual assault cases. Cosby's representative denied the allegations, highlighting Cosby's history of supporting the excluded and disenfranchised.

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2022: Jury rules in Huth's favor, Cosby ordered to pay damages

In 2022, the jury ruled in Judy Huth's favor in her civil suit against Bill Cosby, and he was ordered to pay $500,000 in compensatory damages.

2022: Law & Order episode reflects Cosby cases

In 2022, the premiere of the 21st season of Law & Order featured a plot resembling the Cosby cases, with a murdered entertainer released from prison after his conviction was overturned.

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