What you need to know about the latest Bill Cosby report
On Monday, the Associated Press reported that in a deposition from 2005, Bill Cosby testified to obtaining prescription Quaaludes with the intention of giving them to women he wanted to have sex with, and that he administered the sedative drug at least once. The documents came from a civil lawsuit filed by Andrea Constand — one of more than 25 women who have publicly accused Cosby of sexual assault over the last 40 years — and were released last night after the AP appealed to the court to make them public.
For those unfamiliar, Quaaludes, or methaqualone, are a sedative drug meant to be used as a hypnotic (i.e., sleeping pill) and muscle relaxant. The drug was extremely popular in the U.S. during the 1970s, but was banned from domestic production and sales in 1984. According to PBS News, when mixed with alcohol, they provide a “drunken, sleepy high” — and they are still used as a recreational drug worldwide today.
In his testimony, Cosby also revealed that he sent money and set up “educational trusts” for more than one of his accusers, including Constand. Cosby went on to discuss another occasion in which he “negotiated” with The National Enquirer to not publish an interview with Beth Ferrier — another woman who came forward to accuse him of sexual assault — in exchange for an “exclusive interview” with him instead.
The release of the testimony has been met with relief from many of the women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault and rape — many of whom have been shamed and harassed for coming forward.
“It’s huge. I’ve worked so long and hard to tell my story and screamed my story onto deaf ears,” Barbara Bowman told CNN.
“First of all, I kept it a secret because I was afraid to talk about it, because of Mr. Cosby’s power,” another victim, Joan Tarshis, continued. “Then, when we came out, and lots of other women started to come out, we were called liars. I’m just so relieved that the truth has come out.”
Even those who formally stood by Cosby and believed him to be innocent have changed their stance after the documents were released. On Monday, actress and singer Jill Scott took to Twitter to voice her disappointment and disgust with her former mentor.
“Sadly his own testimony offers PROOF of terrible deeds, which is ALL I have ever required to believe the accusations,” Scott tweeted. “Proof will always matter more than public opinion. The sworn testimony is proof. Completely disgusted.”
“I stood by a man I respected and loved. I was wrong,” she continued.
To read the report in its entirety, click here.
(Image via Shutterstock)
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