The circumstances made it easier for them to broach the secrets they held — many of them feeling (illogically, but psychologically understandably given their social stature vs. Jerry’s) that they were somehow to blame for the way Jerry came on to them.
Cosby overawed a lot of people. He took advantage of it. It almost was kept hushed up, but in his dotage he is not a formidable figure any more.
Yup. Rich and vulnerable. As I said earlier, people flocking to get a measure of cash from a rich old man or woman before they meet their maker -- whether sex is involved or not -- happens every day, everywhere. Cosby may well have wronged some of these women. But we're into "piling on" territory now.