Bill Cosby has been charged with felony sexual assault, technically called aggravated indecent assault, for a 2004 incident that prosecutors claim took place in Pennsylvania.
Via TMZ:
The charges stem from Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, who claims in 2004 Cosby drugged and assaulted her while she was working as the operations manager for the women’s basketball team.
Montgomery County authorities investigated her claims, but eventually rejected the case … citing a lack of evidence.
Constand sued Cosby in 2005 and settled the case a year later.
District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman reopened the investigation this summer after more than 50 women came forward with similar accusations. The D.A. said the charges were based on new evidence.
The D.A. says Cosby gave Constand pills and wine that rendered her unable to consent to sexual contact with Cosby … something the D.A. says she rejected twice in the past.
Pennsylvania has a 12-year statute of limitations for felony sex crimes, and Ferman’s office had until January to file a case based on Constand’s claims.
Constand, who is now 42, is ready to face Cosby in court, her attorney, Dolores Troiani, said this fall.
“She’s a very strong lady,” Troiani told ABC News. “She’ll do whatever they request of her.”
Cosby faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
