Actor Cuba Gooding Jr admitted guilt on Thursday, 13 October 2022, to a single count of harassment. However, as part of a deal with the prosecution that spared him jail time, closing the case brought about by claims of sexual misconduct made by several women.
Cuba Gooding Jr avoids jail time: Here’s what we know
As per CNN, the second-degree harassment citation, which the penal code of New York State classifies as a non-criminal offence, will remain on Gooding’s record. However, his guilty plea to a more serious criminal misdemeanour of forcible touching in April 2022 will be erased.
Prosecutors allowed the 54-year-old to withdraw his earlier plea. This comes after the prosecution testified in court that he had complied with the conditions of the conditional plea agreement from April by attending six months of court-ordered alcohol and behaviour modification treatment and avoiding any additional arrests.
Gooding Jr had faced six counts of sexual abuse and forcible touching for allegedly groping three women in separate incidents in New York between 2018 and 2019.
The Oscar-winning actor is one of many powerful men in Hollywood who have been publicly accused of sexual abuse since allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein instigated the worldwide #MeToo movement in 2017. In addition, the actor was accused of rape in a separate civil lawsuit filed in federal court, which he has denied.
One woman claimed Gooding Jr sexually assaulted her in a hotel room in 2013, albeit, no charges were ever filed.
Who is Cuba Gooding Jr?
Gooding Jr was born on 2 January 1968 in New York. Cuba made his professional debut with singer Lionel Richie at the 1984 Summer Olympics closing ceremonies in Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, Gooding spent three years studying Japanese martial arts before deciding to pursue acting, Britannica reports.
He obtained guest starring roles on television programs such as Hill Street Blues, Amen, and MacGyver. Cuba played the lead, Tre Styles, in the inner-city crime drama Boyz n the Hood. After the movie’s massive success, he played supporting parts in important movies like A Few Good Men and Gladiator.
His more recent movies include Selma, Freedom, and Sacrifice.
Fans react to Cuba’s verdict
Fans have shared their thoughts on Cuba’s verdict on social media. Here’s what they had to say:
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