A former Playboy Playmate and actress who has accused Bill Cosby of drugging and raping her more than four decades ago, was overcome with emotion to learn that he was hit with charges today in Pennsylvania.
Victoria Valentino told ABC News Wednesday that she and the other women who have accused the comedian of misconduct are “elated and grateful” that he’s been charged.
“I can’t wait to get together with all the ladies for a celebration party and crack open the champagne,” she added.
Seeing Cosby’s mugshot today, Valentino was moved to tears. “I just never really thought I’d see the day,” she said. “I can’t bear to look at his face, you know, but to see him in a vulnerable position compared to how he made us feel so vulnerable. It’s justice. It’s just karma.”
Cosby’s legal team has repeatedly denied the allegations against him and the famed comedian has never been criminally charged before today.
On Wednesday morning, Cosby, 78, was charged with alleged aggravated indecent assault, stemming from a 2005 claim made by Andrea Constand. He was arraigned in the afternoon, did not enter a plea and was freed on $1 million bail.
His attorney Monique Pressley called the charge “unjustified” and told ABC News, “We expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law.”
“The charge by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office came as no surprise, filed 12 years after the alleged incident and coming on the heels of a hotly contested election for this county’s DA during which this case was made the focal point,” Pressley said in a separate statement. “Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law.”
Meanwhile, Valentino, who also appeared in an A&E documentary — produced by ABC’s Lincoln Square Productions — called “Cosby: The Women Speak” this past July, said that she would testify on behalf of Constand if asked.
Valentino claims that in 1969, while in a depressed state following the death of her son, Cosby drugged her with pills and raped her. She says she never reported the incident to authorities out of shame and humiliation.
“Rape is the most underreported crime,” she said. “You’re afraid, ashamed, you blame yourself for being vulnerable…and you don’t believe that you’ll be believed.”
Constand claimed a decade ago that Cosby, whom she believed to be a friend, drugged her and sexually assaulted her. She settled a civil lawsuit with him confidentially in 2006. The settlement did not include an admission of guilt.
“Justice has to prevail,” Valentino said. “If Andrea’s case winds up getting the full justice that she deserves, then we are there for her and we would be in court -– we would be in court even if we weren’t testifying; we’d be there in the grand stands rooting her on, lending positive vibes and love to her.”
As for Cosby, Valentino said that she hopes the comedian will “stand up and tell the truth.”
“Finally face your consequences like a man,” she continued. “We’re standing in truth. You stand in truth.”
Watch the full story on “Nightline” tonight at 12:35 a.m. ET.