Mae Flexer

Flexer: Bill Cosby “Would’ve Gotten Away with It” in Connecticut

Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) today released the following statement after Bill Cosby was sentenced to serve three to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004:

“I am certainly relieved that justice will be served in this case. However, I am deeply troubled by the fact if this had taken place in Connecticut, Bill Cosby would’ve gotten away with drugging and raping Andrea Constand due to our state’s current statute of limitations laws. There are many reasons why victims don’t immediately come forward, and all victims of sexual assault—like Cosby’s victims—deserve justice and their access to justice should not be limited by politicians.”

Bill Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted Andrea Constand in 2004. In 2015, Pennsylvania authorities arrested and charged Cosby just shy of the state’s 12 year statute of limitations. He was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Had the 2004 crime occurred in Connecticut, the statute of limitations would have been just five years and legal proceedings would not have been initiated.

Connecticut’s Time’s Up Act, Senate Bill 132, would have eliminated the statute of limitations for the actions Cosby was found guilty of committing. Unfortunately, although Sen. Flexer led bipartisan Senate passage of the bill last session, it died in the House with no vote.