A new chapter of the Bill Cosby abuse scandal has opened, this time naming Playboy's Hugh Hefner as a co-conspirator in a case which saw then-18-year-old model Chloe Goins allegedly molested by Cosby at the Playboy Mansion during a party back in 2008, with the new lawsuit suggesting that Hefner was fully aware of the depraved events.

Hugh HefnerHugh Hefner implicated in Cosby case

Chloe Goins, 26, has taken out a new civil action against Playboy magnate Hefner accusing him of having 'encouraged, aided and ratified' an alleged sexual assault by Cosby eight years ago and throwing up potential charges for sexual battery, gender violence and emotional distress.

The lawsuit claims that Goins was invited to a Playboy Mansion party with comedian Bill Cosby, despite Hefner apparently being aware of him having a 'propensity for intoxicating and or drugging young women and taking advantage of them sexually and against their will or while they were unconscious'.

On being introduced to Cosby, Goins says she was given a drink which she now believes was spiked. Hefner suggested that she go and lie down in one of the bedrooms, she agreed and fell unconscious only to awaken to find herself naked with Cosby assaulting her. 

'Defendant Hefner's actions of inviting and hosting young and impressionable and possible minor children to his residence and providing alcoholic and/or foreign substances was negligent at the very least', the civil action states. 'Hefner and Cosby both knowingly and wilfully agreed and conspired to host parties, invite minor or young adults under the age of 21, [and] provide them with alcohol or foreign substances.'

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Another case earlier this year saw prosecutors dismiss Goins' allegations - then solely against Cosby - based on lack of evidence and witnesses.

78-year-old Cosby currently faces a hearing in Pennsylvania, where Andrea Constand is taking action to have him charged for allegedly forcing himself on her in her own home in 2004. If found guilty, he could be sentenced for up to 10 years in prison.