Cuba Gooding Jr. reached a plea deal for rape before trial

Cuba Gooding Jr. has escaped prison again after escaping a rape trial minutes before a scheduled trial.

The veteran Hollywood award-winning actor’s status remains undisputed given his sensational performances. However, the entertainer’s personality behind the cameras has been a source of concern over the years.

Several women accused the 55-year-old man of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, and in 2020 an unknown woman filed a rape lawsuit. Despite his claims, the alleged victim skipped the court settlement.

Cuba Gooding Jr. reached an out-of-court settlement in his rape case minutes before trial

On June 6, the Associated Press reported that the “Boyz n the Hood” star avoided the law digging into his controversial relationship with an unnamed woman. The media personality allegedly raped the woman at a New York hotel more than a decade ago, according to the lawsuit.

Following the accusations, the father of three sang hymns of innocence through his lawyers. The presenter’s lawyers claimed the couple’s intimate relationship was consensual after they met at a nearby restaurant and she later bragged to others that she had sex with a celebrity.

However, the plaintiff’s narrative was different. According to court records, the woman claimed the Oscar winner convinced her to join him at a hotel after they met in Manhattan.

Once at the hotel, the 55-year-old man persuaded her to come to his room under the pretext of changing clothes, but he allegedly raped her. Despite the seriousness of the crime, which he insisted had happened, both parties decided to settle privately in court.

The trial, which began with jury selection in New York federal court, ended minutes before jurors were assembled. A calendar entry in the official court record read: “TRIAL DISCONTINUED” and “Reason for Dismissal (By Consent): Parties Resolved Case.”

The woman, who wanted $6 million in damages, wanted to remain anonymous by settling out of court. According to reports, the alleged victim may have remained unidentified during the proceedings until last week. Judge Paul A. Crotty ruled that he must reveal his name at trial.

Before their settlement, the unnamed lady appeared to have the upper hand in the case, as the judge ruled that three of Gooding’s former victims could take the stand. These women alleged that they experienced sudden sexual harassment or attempted sexual harassment after meeting the “Men of Honor” star in public places such as nightclubs and restaurants.

These three alleged victims were from a huge list of over thirty other women. Authorities revealed that Gooding was accused of sexually abusing these women. The 55-year-old man’s crimes included groping, unwanted kissing and other inappropriate behavior.

One of the women to share her narrative at the trial was Kelsey Harbert, who previously butted heads with the Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story actor for touching her without her consent at a New York bar in 2019.

A Satellite Award winner avoided jail time by taking a plea deal in a groping case

Months before he settled his rape lawsuit, the “Jerry Maguire” actor made headlines for escaping from prison after being groped. Kelsey Herbert’s breasts without her consent. The TV personality pleaded guilty to the violation charge last April.

Following his guilty plea, the father-of-three is said to have apologized in the courtroom for “ever feeling that someone was touched inappropriately”. The 55-year-old avoided time behind bars by complying with the terms of the plea agreement, which required him to receive six months of counseling without arrest.

That meant the “Boat Trip” star’s harassment charges will remain on his record until the criminal charges are dropped. Herbert, the woman who accused Gooding of groping her, aired her complaints about the development.

“This plea seems like a misstep. After three long years of trying to hold Mr. Gooding accountable for touching my breast without my consent, having my day in court taken away from me is more disappointing than words can describe,” the victim lamented.

Herbert’s attorney, Gloria Allred, echoed similar sentiments, calling the plea deal an “insult” to her client and the other women who have accused the Hollywood veteran of harassment. The lawyer stated that it was a “prosecutorial gift to a celebrity who did not deserve such a result.”