Bill Cosby wants $7M for a NYC townhouse now at the center of a foreclosure dispute

New York Post - Apr 16th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Bill Cosby’s Upper East Side brownstone has been listed for sale at just under $7 million amidst a foreclosure dispute with lender CitiMortgage. The 5,000-square-foot property, located on East 61st Street, is the subject of a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court, where CitiMortgage claims the Cosbys defaulted on a 2010 loan, accumulating over $4.2 million in debt. Despite Cosby's legal team contesting these claims, the home is being quietly marketed, highlighting its prime location and historical significance to the Cosby family.

The significance of this listing is heightened by ongoing legal and financial troubles faced by the Cosby family, including a separate foreclosure case concerning their main Manhattan residence. This legal turmoil comes after Bill Cosby's public fall from grace following his 2018 conviction for sexual assault, which was overturned in 2021. The property sales reflect both the Cosbys' financial challenges and the broader impact of Cosby's tarnished reputation on his personal affairs. As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome could influence the handling of celebrity financial disputes and foreclosure cases in high-profile contexts.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded account of the foreclosure disputes involving Bill Cosby, supported by credible sources and clear writing. It effectively communicates the key facts and legal context, making it accessible to a general audience. The story maintains a neutral tone and offers a balanced perspective, though it could benefit from more diverse viewpoints and direct quotes from involved parties. While the article is timely and relevant, its impact is primarily informational rather than transformative. Overall, the article succeeds in presenting a complex legal and financial narrative in an engaging and understandable manner, though further transparency and source attribution could enhance its quality.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims regarding Bill Cosby's real estate holdings and legal issues, which are largely accurate based on the information available from credible sources. The story accurately reports the listing of Cosby's Upper East Side brownstone for nearly $7 million amid a foreclosure dispute. It correctly states that CitiMortgage alleges the Cosbys defaulted on a 2010 loan, claiming over $4.2 million is owed, and that Cosby's legal team disputes this amount. The article also accurately mentions the ongoing foreclosure case involving another property on East 71st Street. However, the purchase price of the East 61st Street property in 1980 is not provided, and the claims about the exact amounts of the loans and debts would benefit from further verification. Overall, the article's factual basis is solid, but some financial specifics require more detailed sourcing.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced account of the foreclosure issues facing Bill Cosby, presenting both the lenders' allegations and Cosby's legal team's rebuttals. However, the piece could benefit from more perspectives, such as comments from financial experts or real estate analysts, to provide a broader context. The story focuses primarily on the legal and financial aspects without delving deeply into Cosby's personal history or the broader implications of his legal troubles. While the article does not exhibit overt bias, it could enhance its balance by including more diverse viewpoints on the implications of the foreclosure disputes.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, providing a clear and coherent account of the foreclosure disputes involving Bill Cosby. It effectively outlines the key points, such as the properties involved, the financial claims, and the legal context, in a logical order. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the complex legal and financial issues understandable to a general audience. The tone remains neutral and factual throughout, contributing to the article's clarity. Overall, the article excels in presenting the information in a clear and concise manner.

8
Source quality

The article relies on reputable sources such as Crain's for its information, which lends credibility to its claims. The inclusion of specific details about the foreclosure cases and legal proceedings suggests that the sources are reliable and well-informed. However, the article would benefit from direct quotes or statements from involved parties, such as representatives from CitiMortgage or First Foundation Bank, to enhance the depth of reporting. The lack of direct attributions from these entities slightly diminishes the source quality but overall, the article maintains a high standard of reliability.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the events surrounding the foreclosure disputes but lacks transparency regarding its sources and the basis for some claims, particularly the financial specifics. While it mentions Crain's as a source, it does not specify where all the information was obtained, such as the details of the legal disputes and the exact figures involved. Greater transparency about the methodology and sourcing would improve the reader's understanding of how the information was gathered and verified. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which is a positive aspect, but more explicit source attribution would enhance transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/bill-cosbys-upper-east-side-brownstone-hits-market-7m-amid-foreclosure-fight
  2. https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/bill-cosby-foreclosure-new-york-house/
  3. https://www.chelseanewsny.com/news/bill-cosby-wife-face-foreclosure-of-two-upper-east-side-residences-BK4048377
  4. https://www.theroot.com/bill-cosby-faces-foreclosure-on-nyc-townhouse-after-def-1851736183
  5. https://www.finance-monthly.com/2025/01/bill-cosby-faces-foreclosure-on-two-new-york-townhouses-over-20m-loan-debt/