“But why was a criminal prosecutor involved in a civil lawsuit?”
My understanding is that the civil case could not proceed until after the criminal case was settled. If the prosecutor had criminally prosecuted Cosby and lost, then the civil case would most likely have been lost as well. In the law, you almost never get what you want. But the limitations set on the government are intended to prevent using the prosecutor’s office for political revenge. (Which is what we see happening to all Trump associated people being prosecuted.)
That may be 100% correct, but I believe it still makes my point.
If I commit a crime and the victim sues me in civil court, I can understand that civil case being put on hold until the criminal court gets done.
Not the other way around.
I would never expect the criminal court to defer prosecution, and make a deal with me to avoid prosecution, in deference to my civil case.
PS. Look at OJ Simpson. Found not guilty in the criminal case. Still lost in the civil case.