Recently unsealed court documents from 2005 show that Bill Cosby admitted to drugging at least one woman with Quaaludes, a strong sedative that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Associated Press had filed paperwork in December requesting that documents be unsealed from a 2005 court case filed by a former Temple employee, in which she alleged sexual misconduct from the actor-comedian. The legal transcript shows Cosby admitting to buying Quaaludes and giving them to one woman, who he intended to have sex with, and unidentified “other people.” The case was settled in 2006 for an undisclosed amount.
Cosby’s lawyers fought to keep the proceedings sealed, claiming that their release would embarrass the comedian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cosby argued last month that he was not a public figure and that there should be no public interest in the case.
Nearly 40 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, with some of the allegations dating as far back as the 1970s. Cosby has publicly denied the allegations, and he has never been charged with a crime (statutes of limitations are prohibiting many of the women from pressing charges against him). A spokesperson for Cosby declined to issue a comment to the Associated Press.