Bill Cosby slashes NYC townhouse price to $5.99M amid $59M legal judgment

Bill Cosby has dramatically slashed his Manhattan townhouse price to $5.99 million. The 88-year-old actor cut the asking price by $750,000 just weeks after a California jury ordered him to pay $59.25 million in civil damages. This latest move reveals the unfolding financial crisis facing one of Hollywood’s most disgraced figures, following a landmark verdict that could reshape his remaining assets.

🔥 Quick Facts

  • Current Ask Price: Property reduced from $6.75M to $5.99M in April 2026
  • Legal Judgment: California jury awarded Donna Motsinger $59.25M in March 2026
  • Property Details: Six-bedroom, six-bath townhouse in Lenox Hill, 243 East 61st Street
  • Financial Struggle: Cosby defaulted on $3.7M mortgage, owes $300,000 in property taxes

Stunning Price Cut Months After Record Lawsuit Verdict

Bill Cosby originally listed the East 61st Street townhouse for $6.75 million in January after renovations were completed. Just four months later, he slashed nearly $750,000 off the asking price, signaling rising desperation to offload the property. This aggressive reduction came just weeks after the devastating March 23 verdict in which a California jury found him liable for sex assault and awarded the damages to Donna Motsinger.

According to listing agent Adam Schneider, the property features a reimagined interior with updated amenities alongside preserved architectural details. The townhouse spans 5,000 square feet and boasts a rare residential elevator, crown molding, fireplaces, and red-brick walls. Despite its luxury features and Lenox Hill location, the relentless price cuts reflect mounting financial pressure on the aging entertainer.

From $28M Sale to Current Struggles: Understanding His Real Estate Crisis

Cosby’s financial troubles accelerated dramatically after he sold his larger East 71st Street townhouse for approximately $28 million in late 2025, narrowly avoiding foreclosure. That sale involved First Foundation Bank, which had pursued legal action against him for defaulting on $17.5 million in loans. The successful sale temporarily resolved that crisis but left him facing mounting debts on his second property.

Court documents reveal that Cosby and his wife Camille defaulted on a $4.2 million loan secured by the smaller townhouse beginning in June 2024. Additionally, they owe more than $300,000 in accumulated property taxes. Citi Mortgage issued a default notice in November 2024, giving them until December 12 to pay. When no payment materialized, foreclosure threats intensified, forcing this desperate listing and now aggressive price slashing.

Property Timeline and Legal Battles Unfold

Event Date
Cosby purchases townhouse 1980 for $1.2M
First Foundation Bank loan defaults June 2024
Default notice issued by Citi Mortgage November 18, 2024
Civil jury verdict against Cosby March 23, 2026
Price cut announced on market April 29, 2026

“This verdict is not just about me, it’s about finally being heard and holding Mr. Cosby accountable. I have carried the weight of what happened to me for more than 50 years. It never goes away. Today, a jury saw the truth and held him accountable.”

Donna Motsinger, sexual assault plaintiff against Bill Cosby

The Accusation That Triggered the $59M Judgment

Donna Motsinger alleged that Cosby invited her to a stand-up comedy show in San Carlos, California, in 1972. She claimed he later invited her backstage and offered her wine and two pills she believed were aspirin. According to her lawsuit, she lost consciousness and woke up at her home partially undressed without any memory of events.

The jury awarded her $17.5 million in past damages and $1.75 million for future damages including mental suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress. In a second phase, they added another $40 million in punitive damages. Cosby’s lawyer has already announced plans to appeal the verdict, claiming it is excessive and unjust.

Will Cosby Successfully Sell Before Foreclosure Takes Hold?

With the latest $5.99 million asking price, Cosby faces a critical window to find a buyer before lenders move to seize the property entirely. Reports suggest his once-vast cash reserves are rapidly depleting due to legal costs, mortgage defaults, and accumulated property taxes. If the townhouse remains unsold for several more months, foreclosure could become inevitable, stripping him of another significant asset.

The 19th-century Lenox Hill property does offer legitimate luxury appeal, featuring stainless-steel appliances, a private backyard fire pit, and authentic architectural charm preserved from its original construction. However, the Cosby name controversy and his mounting legal liabilities may deter potential buyers, making even the slashed price potentially insufficient to attract serious offers.

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