Investigation Dropped Against Cosby

Authorities found insufficient evidence to charge Bill Cosbyon an allegation of sexual misconduct, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor Jr.

Cosby had been accused of fondling a 31-year-old former employee of Temple University. The woman claimed the comedian, after a night out in Philadelphia last January, gave her medication that caused her to lose consciousness. She said she awoke to find her bra undone and her clothes in disarray.

Castor said that because the accuser waited more than a year to make her claim and because she had contact with Cosby since then, it weighed in the comedian’s favor.

The prosecutor also said he reviewed claims by others who contend Cosby “behaved inappropriately” toward them, but detectives couldn’t find “where anyone complained to law enforcement of conduct which could constitute a criminal offense.”

The woman’s attorney, Dolores Troiani, criticized the D.A. for not notifying her before announcing the decision, adding that the accuser would likely sue Cosby.

“She felt, as we did, that it’s a very strong case and that she was telling the truth, and that Mr. Castor’s opinion does not change the facts,” Troiani said.

The D.A. announced the decision on his Web site and said there would be no further comment because he feared his comments could be used as evidence in a possible civil lawsuit.

“Much exists in this investigation that could be used (by others) to portray persons on both sides of the issue in a less-than-flattering light,” he said.