As he prepared for court battles — accused of drugging and raping dozens of women — outcast Bill Cosby became a virtual recluse in his massive Massachusetts compound.
“He’s like a scared rat,” said a neighbor living near the disgraced comic’s 21-acre estate in Shelburne Falls.
“It’s hard to believe he was once a loved comic and TV star, but now it’s like he’s living in shame for what those women say he did. “Maybe it’s best he stays behind those walls.”
When Cosby needed some java from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, he sent staffers to fetch it. They’re forbidden to speak to anyone.
His only companion is wife of 52 years Camille, who has stuck by him. He gets occasional visits from his four grown daughters.
When he leaves town, Cosby travels in one of the two planes he keeps at Westfield-Barnes Municipal Airport.
The shamed star further isolated himself by buying up land around his compound — where a sign on the gate warns: “If You Are Not Invited Do Not Pass Through These Gates.”
The 78-year-old comic was hailed as “America’s dad” and a role model for black youth after playing the perfect father on his hit sitcom from 1984 to 1992. But dozens of women have come forward saying he spiked their drinks — then raped them.
In most cases, the statute of limitations prevents Cosby from being prosecuted for a crime. But Tamara Green, Linda Joy Traitz and Therese Serignese clobbered him with lawsuits in Massachusetts, claiming he libeled them by denying their claims he’d sexually attacked them. Former supermodel Janice Dickinson hit him with a similar suit in California.
Judy Huth also sued him, for the psychological damage she says she suffered after he molested her at the Playboy Mansion when she was just 15.
Federal prosecutors are investigating whether to charge him with a crime over claims by model Chloe Goins that Cosby drugged and attacked her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008.
Cosby, worth an estimated $400 million, has rarely been seen in public lately. His shows were yanked off the air, and colleges revoked the honorary degrees they awarded him.
“The world has turned against him and he’s living in disgrace,” said the neighbor. “He’s like a prisoner in a golden cage.”
