Bill Cosby won't face charges over sex assault claims by 'Cosby Show' actress, lawyer says

Bill Cosby can breathe a sigh of relief. At least for now.

The scandal-plagued comedian — who in recent months has been accused of sexual assault by dozens of women — won't face charges from allegations brought against him by former "The Cosby Show" actress Lili Bernard, a man identifying himself as Cosby's New Jersey attorney said Wednesday.

"As of this writing, the office of the Atlantic County prosecutor has terminated its investigation, closed its file and so notified Ms. Bernard's lawyer," Edwin J. Jacobs, Jr. of the Jacobs & Barbone law practice said in a press release.

Added Jacobs, "There will be no charges filed."

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A spokesman for the Atlantic County prosecutor's office had no comment for TheWrap on the matter.

According to Jacobs, "Whatever [Bernard] was claiming was far beyond the statute of limitations. That was my legal analysis and the analysis of the Atlantic County prosecutor.

Bernard, who appeared in one episode of the final season of "The Cosby Show," claimed that she was drugged, raped and threatened by Cosby while he was mentoring her in preparation for her appearance as "the zany and very pregnant Mrs. Minifield."

Also Read:Bill Cosby Slapped With Another Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations

According to Bernard, Cosby was initially comforting and welcoming to her, complimenting her on her various skills.

"After he had won my complete trust and adoration he drugged me and raped me," Bernard said in a statement in May.

Bernard claimed that she last saw the comedian at the "Cosby Show" studios in 1992, where he told her, "As far as I'm concerned, Bernard, you're dead. Do you hear me? You're dead, Bernard. You don't exist, I never wanna see your face again. Now get the hell out of here!"

Also Read:37 Bill Cosby Accusers: Complete Breakdown of the Allegations

"I interpreted that as a death threat and feared for my life," Bernard said.

Bernard's attorney, Gloria Allred, has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment.

Cosby, 77, has been besieged in recent months by accusations of sexual assault leveled against him by dozens of women. A common thread in the allegations is that the TV legend drugged the women before assaulting them.

The allegations have sparked multiple lawsuits, including a complaint filed by former "America's Next Top Model" judge Janice Dickinson.

Cosby's attorney, Martin Singer, has denied accusations made against the comedian in the past.

In the wake of the accusations, Cosby has suffered career setbacks, with Netflix postponing a comedy special that was to have aired late last year, and NBC shelving a comedy that it was developing as a possible starring vehicle for Cosby.

Read original story Bill Cosby Won't Face Charges Over Sex Assault Claims by 'Cosby Show' Actress, Lawyer Says At TheWrap

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