newsmakers

newsmakers

Model who says Cosby sexually abused her meets with police

LOS ANGELES

A model who claims Bill Cosby drugged and sexually abused her at the Playboy Mansion met with Los Angeles police Wednesday to pursue criminal charges against the comedian over the 2008 incident.

An attorney for Chloe Goins said after the meeting that his client is the first woman accusing Cosby of sexual misconduct whose case may fall within the statute of limitations. More than 15 women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, including several who say the comedian drugged and raped them in incidents dating back at least four decades.

Goins did not speak during a press conference Wednesday. Her attorney, Spencer Kuvin, said she came forward after hearing about other women describing abuse by Cosby and realizing she might have a valid criminal case.

An email to Cosby’s attorney, Marty Singer, was not immediately returned.

Kuvin declined to discuss what Goins told detectives but restated her allegations that Cosby drugged her at a 2008 event at the Playboy Mansion. Goins does not know what happened while she was blacked out, but Kuvin says she awoke to find herself naked and Cosby over her.

“Ms. Goins and I are here for two reasons: for justice and accountability,” Kuvin said.

Goins is at least the second woman to meet with Los Angeles police detectives to recount accusations against Cosby.

Prosecutors rejected filing charges against Cosby based on allegations by Judy Huth, a Riverside County resident who is suing the comedian, alleging he abused her in the early 1970s when she was 15 years old. Huth’s lawsuit states the abuse happened at the Playboy Mansion.

Chris Pratt honored by Hasty Pudding

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt has been named Man of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Pratt also co-stars on NBC’s “Parks & Recreation” with Amy Poehler, who was named as Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year last week.

Jason Hellerstein, president of the student group, says, “We vehemently deny that the members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals are obsessed with ‘Parks & Recreation.’”

Wednesday’s announcement says Pratt became “a bona fide Hollywood heavyweight” in the past year.

Pratt will receive his pudding pot Feb. 6 after a parade through Harvard Square and a roast. Poehler will be honored Jan. 29.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals is the nation’s oldest undergraduate drama troupe, dating to the late 18th century.

CBS most-watched

NEW YORK

CBS held tight to its customary most-watched status last week, beating all rivals in prime-time viewership and claiming 13 of the Top 20 shows.

Fox had the No. 1 broadcast with Saturday’s victory by Seattle over Carolina, seen by 31 million football fans, according to the Nielsen ratings company.

Two editions of Fox’s returning “American Idol” ranked 16th and 17th. And that network’s much-hyped melodrama “Empire” premiered in 20th place with nearly 10 million viewers.

Otherwise, the good news mostly belonged to CBS. Overall for the week of Jan. 5-11, it averaged 12.2 million viewers. Runner-up Fox had 10.4 million and NBC had 7.3 million viewers.

Associated Press