According to court records, Cuba Gooding Jr. settled accusations of raping a woman ten years ago in a New York City hotel just as his trial was about to begin on Tuesday. The actor had previously claimed that his encounter with the woman was consensual after they met at a nearby restaurant.
Jury selection was set to start in a New York federal court for the Oscar-winning Jerry Maguire star, who faced allegations of raping the woman after persuading her to accompany him to a hotel in Manhattan and stop at his room so he could change his clothes.
However, the woman claimed in her lawsuit that Gooding had raped her in his room. His lawyers disagreed and maintained that their encounter was consensual sex, and she had boasted to others afterwards that she had slept with a celebrity.
Just as jurors were to begin assembling in a courtroom, a calendar entry in the official court record stated: “TRIAL OFF.” It went on to explain the reason for cancellation as the parties having resolved the matter on consent.
The woman had remained anonymous until last week when Judge Paul A. Crotty ruled that she would have to reveal her name at the trial. The lawsuit had sought $6 million in damages, with one of the lawyers representing the woman, Gloria Allred, declining to comment. The other lawyers representing Gooding did not immediately respond to comment requests.
The lawsuit was filed against Gooding, who has also been accused by authorities of committing sexual misconduct against over 30 other women, including groping, unwanted kissing, and other inappropriate behaviour.
Last week, Judge Crotty appeared to strengthen the woman’s position in trial and settlement negotiations by permitting three women to testify that they had also been subject to sudden sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults after meeting Gooding in social settings such as festivals, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants.
Kelsey Harbert, who had reported to police that Gooding had fondled her at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square in 2019 without her consent, was among the women who had planned to testify at trial.
Last year, Harbert stated that not getting her day in court after Gooding pleaded guilty to a charge that spared him from jail or a criminal history, that he had forcibly kissed a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018 was “more disappointing than words can say.” The Associated Press usually does not identify individuals who claim to have been sexually assaulted unless they grant permission, as Harbert has done.
Gooding, who starred in films such as Boyz n the Hood and Radio, was allowed to plead guilty in April 2022 to a misdemeanor charge of forcibly kissing a worker at a New York nightclub in 2018, which permitted him to withdraw his guilty plea by completing six months of alcohol and behavioral counseling, resulting in him pleading guilty to a non-criminal harassment violation and preventing further penalties and criminal records.
2023 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
