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@THISHOUR WITH BERMAN AND MICHAELA

More Allegations Against Cosby; Warmer Weather Headed to Buffalo; National Adoption Awareness Month

Aired November 21, 2014 - 11:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: New allegations against Bill Cosby.

Linda Traitz is now the tenth woman to come forward accusing the comedian of sexual assault. She told her story to my colleague, Alisyn Camerota.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LINDA TRAITZ, BILL COSBY ACCUSER: One day he came to my station where I was waiting tables and sat down and started speaking with me, you know, real friendly and real animated and telling me I was pretty and he offered me a ride home from the restaurant which I accepted. And I got into his car, that was Rolls-Royce, it was early in the day, and he said, "I'm going to take a drive out to the beach."

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What did you think? When he said, "I'm going to take you on a drive out to the beach," what went through your head?

TRAITZ: I was star struck. This is Bill Cosby. He's above reproach. I was star struck. There were no red flags.

CAMEROTA: So you get to the beach and what happens?

TRAITZ: He opened up a briefcase on his front seat and it was filled with different assorted pills, capsules and tablets, I don't remember, colors. There were no prescription bottles.

CAMEROTA: He did explain?

TRAITZ: Why don't you take a couple of these, they'll help you relax. He kept -- what? You know? I was -- help me relax? For what?

CAMEROTA: Did you end up taking any of the pills?

TRAITS: No.

CAMEROTA: So then what happened?

TRAITS: He started grabbing at my chest and, you know, starting to try to fondle me and then he started to push himself on top of me like against the seat and against the door and as he was groping me. I don't remember the conversation but I do know that that's when I panicked. I opened the door behind me and ran out of his car and ran down the beach and I had on a long hippy peasant skirt, that's what we wore back then, and I was running and I was running towards the -- you know, towards the -- I guess towards the shoreline. My foot must have hit the bottom of my skirt because I fell and it tore up my skirt probably to the knee and I partially fell in the water so I was wet. He was coming after me trying to calm me down because I was making such a scene, I was crying, I was in a panic. I was crying and he said, "I'll take you home, I'll take you home." At that point -- I was not raped but I was groped and terrorized.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: That's Linda Traitz telling her story to our Alisyn Camerota.

As one accuser after another comes forward, there's a lot of people watching a woman by Bill Cosby's side, his wife, Camille.

Our national correspondent, Susan Candiotti, has been looking into that part of the story.

These two have been married for a very, very long time.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: 50 years. She is seven years younger than he is. They met when she was only 1 years old, Michaela. She dropped out of college to get married to him. Suddenly he became this big star. But she is a success in her own right. She was a Broadway producer and movie producer as well. She has a ph. d. In education, she went back to college after dropping out when she met him and got her degree in her 30s and she does a lot of charity work. This is a very strong and charismatic woman in her own right.

PEREIRA: We watched the Associated Press interview that has been making a lot of news when he was asked about the sexual allegations. I think a lot of people instead of necessarily watching how he reacted watched her because I think as women especially we think about how uncomfortable and how awful and how awkward that would be.

CANDIOTTI: Absolutely. I couldn't take my eyes off of her as well as in other circumstances where we've seen this come up. And she kept smiling. And who are we to say? Was it a strained smile or did she appear uncomfortable? I don't know. But you try to put yourself in someone else's place and how difficult that must be. She hasn't said a word about this. And -- but you have to think, remember, she's certainly known about the lawsuit that was settled years ago.

PEREIRA: Well, I was going to say, Susan --

CANDIOTTI: She knows about these things.

PEREIRA: -- these allegations come and go, and this time they've taken on --

CANDIOTTI: A deluge of them.

PEREIRA: Absolutely. So this is not a new conversation that's been happening around her. Has she ever responded to these allegations?

CANDIOTTI: Well, you know, the only thing I could find was an interview she did with Oprah for her magazine. It was not on camera.

PEREIRA: Interesting.

CANDIOTTI: And Oprah broached it had subject back in the year 2000.

PEREIRA: So prior to the latest rounds certainly.

CANDIOTTI: Oprah asked her what about troubles or people who have affairs, fooling around. And Camille's response was this, she said, "You look at each other and determine whether the relationship is worth salvaging, whether you really love each other and want to be together." So she also went on to say she doesn't believe in unconditional love. She believes in conditional love.

PEREIRA: That is very interesting.

CANDIOTTI: So imagine the conversations that may be going on. We don't know.

PEREIRA: We don't. We simply do not.

Thank you for at least bringing this part of the conversation to light for us. Thank you so much Susan Candiotti.

Ahead, the residents of Buffalo digging out from a massive snowstorm this week. We hear warmer temperatures are on their way. Guess what that means? A risk of flooding.

Also, I'm going to share with you the story of my search for my birth family as we celebrate National Adoption Awareness month.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREW CUOMO, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK: We are preparing now for more flooding than we have seen in a long, long time. But it's hard to tell, because we've never had this much snow and this much melting of this much snow in a short period of time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREIRA: Governor Andrew Cuomo there.

Officials in and around Buffalo warning folks around that area to stay home after that massive snowstorm. We know it took the lives of 13 people. It's all but paralyzed the city. The Bills/Jets game scheduled for Sunday in Buffalo has been moved to Monday in Detroit. Tonight's Rangers/Sabres hockey game has been postponed and a host of new problems may be on the way and serious ones. As much as folks are wanting warmer temperatures to come, that causes melting snow and that poses a very real flooding risk. Rain could soon follow and cause snow packed roofs to buckle under that weight. Alexandra Field joins us from Buffalo.

Good to have you with me.

You look a little bit better than our correspondents have looked in the last little while. Help us understand what kind of preparations are under by that advance of this warmer trend.

ALEXANDRA FIELD, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Take is the big issue here, Michaela, because people are happy to see the sun come out but temperatures are warming up, that's why so many trucks are out here right now. 1,600 dump trucks have been throughout in south Buffalo trying to scoop up the snow as quickly as possible and they're bringing it out here, piling up the snow. That snow pile is probably more than 50 feet high and there's more to be done. The reason you have these trucks out here and the snow removal equipment in the city working around the clock is because these temperatures are warming up and there is a very serious concern about flooding. You heard the born say there's concern about more flooding than this city has seen in a very long time already there are estimates that low-lying parts of the city could see flooding. That's why it's critical to remove the snow. To that end, the governor has announced some driving bans will be lifted. Talking about major state roads here where you'll see the bans lifted. The goal isn't for people to go about their regular business. The goal is to remove cars that have been sitting on those roads abandoned since the snow hit earlier this week. That's essential because you have to get these snow removal pieces of equipment in the city to get the snow out. Everything being done, Michaela, you can't prevent the flooding but you can prepare. That's what they're trying to do.

PEREIRA: 1600 dump trucks. That's insane. I was just thinking those folks in California would love for that melted snow to somehow make its way to their drought stricken state. One of the real concerns, of course, is the roofs. We've already seen video of roofs collapsing under the weight of this snow. You add water, it gets heavier and heavier.

FIELD: People in Buffalo are used to heavy snowfall but we've been talking to people saying they each never seen anything like this. It's crushing for them. People are just buried in their homes. And already we were with the fire department yesterday, they were responding to calls from people who thought that their walls were cracking, that the roofs were beginning to bow and buck sol as long as it's safe people are being encouraged to get that roof rake out, get the snow off the roof because once the rain starts it adds weight to the snow and that's when you see roofs collapse and this is something people here do not want to see happen. We saw it happen at a nursing home yesterday when the roof began to look unstable. 150 people had to be taken out of there. So serious. At least the sun is out. This is a day you want to get out there and do what you can to protect your home.

PEREIRA: Folks will be doing that while they have the free moment to do it before that rain comes.

Alexandra Field, thank you so much.

Ahead, we are celebrating this month, National Adoption Awareness Month. I'd like to tell you my story. I was adopted. I'll tell you about my story and where my search for my birth mother led me.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: National Adoption Awareness Month. Growing up in my house there was no way to get around the topic of adoption. You see, all five of the girls in my family are adopted. And although I was always loved and cherished by my parents, every year on my birthday I found myself wondering whether my birth mom ever thought of me. When I was 25, the urge to discover my roots was too hard to ignore and I began on a journey where I not only found out who my birth mother was, but I found this beauty -- a sister as well.

With that, I'd like to introduce you to two very important people in my life, my mom, Ainslie, and my beautiful sister, Marnie.

How are you both?

MARNIE: Hi! Good, thanks.

AINSLIE: Good morning.

PEREIRA: They both are very nervous about this. This is a big deal. Marnie, I'm so glad you were able to join. You met mom before via Skype. You two have never met in person yet. The story of how you and I met wasn't the easiest one and it took a while. I met you looking for our shared mother but she passed away before we could meet.

MARNIE, SISTER OF MICHAELA PEREIRA: That's right. She passed away in 1999 and we -- you first started your search and we found each other and found out that we had each other in 2000. So unfortunately she had already passed away at that time.

PEREIRA: You know what? I know she's watching down on both of us you?

MARNIE: She sure is, absolutely.

PEREIRA: Mom, it's interesting because that whole journey wasn't necessarily the easiest thing to do. It was hard for me when I had to broach the subject of wanting to search for my birth family. We made it through and I'm proud to say you and I and dad did it together.

AINSLIE, MOTHER OF MICHAELA PEREIRA: That's true.

PEREIRA: And the fact that we're doing national television together -- I can't say that. It will freak both of you out.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to talk about the reaction that people have had. We went to a new church and people that are sometimes too nosey for their own good saw the seven of us and said to you "that's interesting. Tell me knew works." Mom, tell the people how you responded.

AINSLIE: I know it embarrassed you, Sweetie, but I just looked at them and said, "They all have different fathers."

(LAUGHTER)

PEREIRA: Marnie, you can imagine how mortifying that would have been when I was 15.

(LAUGHTER)

But I have to tell you, now I look back on it and I grin at my mom's temerity that she would say something like that. I think it helped us all that you guys have had such a great dose of humor. Marnie, meanwhile, for you this whole adoption thing is pretty ne new.

MARNIE: It is. We don't look like twins so sometimes it seems like a big pill and other people don't flip and they just roll with it, which is awesome.

PEREIRA: It's so interesting, mom, we talk a lot in our family about our broad definition of family. I really credit you and dad with that.

AINSLIE: Well, yes. Because that is what family is. It's not just DNA. Many people who share common DNA don't share family. And we can get together from many different spots and melt together and become family and include the DNA family, also, which is special.

PEREIRA: It is special. And now you have a blond daughter, too, in Marnie.

AINSLIE: Yes, and a red-headed.

PEREIRA: It's really interesting.

For the folks at home, when CNN.com asked me to write this piece to tell the broader picture of our family's story of adoption, I suggested that we not just do my story but incorporate the point of view of mom as an adoptive mom and of Marnie, a girl that found out that she had a big sister as an adult. She found this out as an adult. It was so beautiful to do this together with the both of you. I'm curious what each of you came away from this. What did you discover or learn about yourself in the process of writing this?

MARNIE: I think I took for granted that I had just dealt with my mom's death and that everything just happened. So this allowed me to really sit back and take a moment and reflect on everything that's gone on in the past 15 years and, in doing so, it kind of made me feel a little bit better about some things. So it was rewarding. It was difficult at times but I think it turned out amazing and I'm really happy that we did it together.

PEREIRA: I see this picture of our mom, Dale, who passed away before I could meet her. You had the pleasure of growing up with this tremendous woman. You always say how much I look like her but in that prom picture I see it. Mom, this has been a trip for you, too, because you and I have a wonderful bond. I'm so grateful that you have opened your heart to this process. I'm curious what you have learned or gleaned from this experience of kind of living it out loud.

AINSLIE: Well, back in the day, adoption was only seen as a second choice for infertile people and we were sort of trail blazers in that time because that was not our journey but to choose children who were falling through the cracks, children who sat down with their little toys, someone walked in and stuck them with some other family six, seven times, teaching children not to trust and to decide as adults that they are going to be in control in their life, that no one is going to do this to them again. It was such a privilege to watch the different girls. Now there are seven and more.

PEREIRA: And more.

AINSLIE: Brothers, sisters also called me. Like I have a note today from, to Mama Ainslie. She was one of my special ones.

PEREIRA: Yep. That's right, mom.

AINSLIE: And it's such a privilege more than a responsibility. Although it had its rough points, too.

PEREIRA: Oh, it wasn't all roses.

AINSLIE: No, it wasn't all roses and it wasn't all accepted by the extended family either.

PEREIRA: You're not supposed to interrupt your mom but I have to because they are pushing me out the door. I'm going to get in trouble on this from two accounts. We talk about our "CNN Heroes." Mom and dad, you are my heroes. Marnie, I know it was hard for you. But read the article that the three of us wrote together and see only a few slightly embarrassing photos at CNN.com. It's called "Adoption, One Story, Three Lives."

Love you both.

MARNIE: Love you, too.

AINSLIE: See you soon.

PEREIRA: OK.

This week, a star-studded event took place here in New York. I'm moving on because I'm going to cry myself through this if I don't. The CNN All-Star Tribute, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEREIRA: Oh, let me tell you, the "CNN's Heroes" was a star-studded event. Here's a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) PEREIRA: It's a chilly day here in New York but starting behind me through those doors, come with me, a backstage pass to CNN's All-Star Tribute.

This is a grand place to honor 10 extraordinary people. We're in what is called the Whale Room. Here's a hint for you. Uh-huh.

(voice-over): The days leading up to the main event are action- packed, cameras lighting and decor is put in place. No show is complete without the rolling out of the red carpet. Before you know it, a transformation.

(on camera): So inside this trailer, my fantastic colleagues are putting the final touches on this show. Dare I go in? A very special kind of person is honored.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, A.C. 360: A lot of these people, they don't have a lot of money, access to power, they are just people who saw a need in their community and set about trying to fix something.

PEREIRA (voice-over): And here the celebs have showed up to tribute them. Sheryl Crow is back for another special performance.

SHERYL CROW, SINGER: I'm grateful to CNN that they started this program because there's so many angels out there doing God's work.

PEREIRA: For tonight's honorees who never sought the spotlight, tonight is a night to remember.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PEREIRA: Those real stars are the "CNN Heroes." It's Sunday night, December 7th.

Thanks for joining me all this week @THISHOUR. John Berman will be back Monday don't worry.

"LEGAL VIEW" with Ashleigh Banfield starts right now.