March 10, 2005
Bill Cosby hit with civil suit
Barely conscious after taking comic's pills, Constand claims
By ALAN CAIRNS -- Toronto Sun

TV star Bill Cosby drugged and molested a Pickering woman and then "maliciously and wickedly" defamed her after she complained to police, the woman alleges in a civil lawsuit.

Andrea Constand, 31, alleges that within a short time of being given "three blue pills" of "herbal medication" for stress during a visit to Cosby's Philadelphia mansion in January 2004, her "knees began to shake, her limbs felt immobile, she felt dizzy and weak, and she began to feel only barely conscious."

It is alleged that Cosby slipped Constand "some sort of narcotic or other type of drug."

These allegations, and many more, involving the 67-year-old comedian are outlined in a 17-page complaint filed Tuesday with the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia.

Constand seeks "a sum in excess of $150,000" US -- $185,205 Cdn -- on allegations that Cosby committed battery and assault, defamed her, inflicted emotional distress and portrayed her in a false light.

Filed two weeks after prosecutors rejected Constand's criminal complaint against Cosby, citing insufficient "credible and admissible evidence", the Constand lawsuit for the first time details her allegations against Cosby.


Constand, who has stayed out of the limelight since she first made her allegations to Durham Regional police Jan. 15, seeks a jury trial in the case.

A former high school basketball star who went to Temple University on a scholarship and later directed Temple's women's basketball program, Constand lived in the Philadelphia area when she says she first met Cosby in November 2002.

Cosby, who also attended Temple University, "fostered a friendship" with Constand, the complaint states.

She considered him a friend, albeit an older friend, and a mentor, the complaint states.

After talking on the telephone for over a year, Constand says that she and Cosby attended dinner parties at Cosby's home and elsewhere.

Constand alleges she went to Cosby's mansion at 9 p.m. one night in January 2004 after Cosby told her he wanted to assist her find a different career.

When Constand told Cosby of her stress over a career decision and Cosby offered her the pills.

Constand alleges she told Cosby she was not well and he led her to a sofa. She alleges that Cosby laid her down under "the guise of helping her" and touched her inappropriately.

Constand alleges she was semi-conscious throughout "the ordeal" but did not fully awaken until after 4 a.m.

She was not capable of consent and at no time did she give consent, the lawsuit alleges.

While Cosby has admitted sexual contact, he said it was consensual.

He has issued a public apology to his wife.

Constand also alleges that she was defamed when Cosby "sources" told an American tabloid TV show that Constand's mom had asked Cosby to "make things right with money" in what was described as "a classic shakedown."

Constand, who now resides with her parents in Pickering and works as a massage therapist, has suffered "serious and debilitating injuries, mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment, the suit alleges. Constand, her lawyer, and her parents did not return calls yesterday.