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Actress Lili Bernard and writer Sammie Mays made the
allegations against the comedian at a news conference with
prominent lawyer Gloria Allred the day before the last show of
Cosby's national comedy tour in Atlanta.
Cosby, best known for his role as Dr. Cliff Huxtable on the hit
TV series "The Cosby Show," has never been charged over any of
the allegations. The 77-year-old settled a 2005 civil lawsuit
alleging sexual misconduct.
His representative did not respond to a request for comment on
Friday. Cosby's attorney, Marty Singer, has previously dismissed
similar allegations by other women as "discredited" and
"defamatory."
Bernard said Cosby drugged, raped and threatened her while he
helped her prepare for a role in the 1984-1992 show's last
season.
"After he had won my complete trust and admiration, he drugged
and raped me," said the mother of six.
Bernard said she told her agent, family, several friends and her
pastor about the attack. She later became suicidal and was
hospitalized.
"I still suffer panic attacks and night terrors as a result of
what Mr. Cosby did to me," she said. "I stand here to take back
my power and confront the fear that has paralyzed me for so many
years."
Bernard and Allred said they went to Atlantic City, New Jersey,
where one of the alleged attacks occurred, on Thursday to report
it to the police. New Jersey has no statute of limitations for
rape.
The Atlantic City Police Department did not respond to a request
for comment.
Sammie Mays said she was a writer at a television convention in
New Orleans in 1986 when Cosby agreed to an interview. After
accompanying him to his hotel room and accepting a drink, she
said she woke up confused and partially undressed as Cosby
stared down at her. She said she quickly tried to compose
herself, then left.
"Once in the lobby, I realized I had just survived an
encounter with a scheming madman who hid his demons behind an
alluring personality," she said.
Allred, who represents many of Cosby's accusers, said she will
join a planned protest on Saturday at the Atlanta theater where
Cosby is scheduled to perform.
(Reporting by Patricia Reaney; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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