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Google PlayCuba Gooding Jr. has avoided jail time in a criminal case accusing the Oscar-winning actor of violating three different women.
Variety reports that Gooding Jr., who was facing up to a year behind bars for groping three women at Manhattan clubs in 2018 and 2019, pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon to one misdemeanor count of forcible touching. In six months, should the 54-year-old Jerry Maguire star comply with the terms of his deal, the misdemeanor will be reduced to a lesser violation of harassment.
As part of the plea, Gooding Jr. will avoid jail time. Still, he must continue his alcohol and behavior counseling for six months.
“We fully credit and believe all of the survivors in this case and thank all of the women and other witnesses who cooperated with our office during the pendency of our investigation,” Assistant District Attorney Coleen Balbert said during the actor’s court appearance.
Gooding was arrested in June 2019 after a woman accused him of squeezing her breast without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square. A few months later, he was charged in two additional cases from women accusing him of similar sexual abuse.
Gooding Jr. has faced allegations from seven women who have come forward to accuse the actor of sexual misconduct, according to reports. 22 women in total have accused Gooding Jr. of sexual misconduct.
