Actor Gooding accused of forcibly touching woman
NEW YORK — Cuba Gooding Jr. turned himself in to police Thursday and was charged with forcible touching after a woman accused the actor of groping her at a New York City night spot.
The 51-year-old Oscar-winning star of “Jerry Maguire” denies the allegations, and his lawyer said he will plead not guilty to the misdemeanor charge.
Gooding smiled and waved as he walked into the police station, where he was fingerprinted and a mug shot was taken. He was led out in handcuffs in the afternoon and was expected to be arraigned later in the day.
A conviction could put him behind bars for up to a year.
Gooding’s lawyer, Mark Heller, said security video from Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge showed “not the slightest scintilla of inappropriate conduct” on his part and will exonerate him. “Mr. Gooding has not acted inappropriately in any shape or form,” Heller told reporters after the arrest.
A 29-year-old woman told police that Gooding grabbed her breast while he was intoxicated Sunday.
The NYPD has not identified the accuser.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office did not immediately comment.
Heller also disputed allegations in media reports from a second woman said to have come forward in recent days and told police that Gooding grabbed her buttocks at a New York City restaurant in 2008.
Gooding was not charged on that allegation.
Gooding told TMZ he was at
Magic Hour partying with friends Sunday but didn’t touch anyone. He said there’s a video that shows “what really happened.”
“I trust the system and will let the process speak for itself,” Gooding said.
Videos posted on social media show Gooding at the Manhattan bar Sunday night singing the Journey hit “Faithfully” and posing for pictures with fans.