Bill Cosby Rape Allegations: No Charges In 1974 Molestation Claim

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office declined to charge embattled comedian Bill Cosby after a woman said he molested her in 1974, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Even though the alleged incident took place 40 years ago, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the claim, made by Judy Huth. Ultimately, the District Attorney's office decided not to move forward since the statute of limitations had passed.

“Even if there was an applicable felony charge, the statute of limitations that existed in 1974 for felony sex crimes was three years. Therefore, prosecution today for any potential felony sex crime from 1974 would also be barred," the declination said, according to The Wrap.

Before going to police, Huth had filed a civil lawsuit against Cosby after she claimed she began to feel distress three years ago from the alleged sexual assault. She claimed Cosby invited her to a Playboy Mansion party after they met on the set of a film. During the party, he allegedly drugged her drink and forced her to perform a sex act on him, CBS News wrote. She was 15 at the time of the alleged molestation.

Huth also accused Cosby of molestation more than 10 years ago and allegedly tried to extort $250,000 from the comedian, the AP reported. Cosby’s lawyer Marty Singer said Huth’s accusations were a “meritless and unsupported 40-year-old claim,” according to Buzzfeed. He said she “unsuccessfully tried to sell her story to the tabloids nearly a decade ago.”

In recent weeks, the "Cosby Show” star has been accused by more than a dozen women of sexual assault. Since the whirlwind accusations, his wife, Camille, and daughter Evin both had the same thing to say: “He is the man you thought you knew.” “ 'The Cosby Show’ was my today's TV reality show. Thank you. That's all I would like to say :),” Evin said in a statement to "Access Hollywood."

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