NEW YORK—Actor and writer Cuba Gooding Jr., 51, was indicted on charges of sexual misconduct in a New York court. Gooding was accused of touching a 29-year-old woman’s breast at a Manhattan rooftop bar.
After being accused of the assault, Gooding turned himself into the New York Police Department, where he was arrested and later released. He pled not guilty in June to a misdemeanor of forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree.
Gooding’s attorney, Mark Heller requested that the accusations be dropped based on several witnesses that were present in the club and a video that indicates the incident of alleged sexual misconduct never transpired.
Gooding was charged with inappropriate conduct in connection with two other women, while another woman stepped forward accusing the actor of touching her a year earlier.
Claudia Oshry, 24, a social media personality, accused Gooding of sexual misconduct. A lawsuit was filed against Gooding Jr. by Natasha Ashworth a waitress working at the Tao Nightclub who accused him of pinching her buttocks.
Gooding is scheduled to make an appearance in court for his arraignment on new allegations of sexual assault charges. Canyon News reached out to Ashworth for comment but has not heard back regarding the Tao incident.
Canyon News spoke with the New York District Attorney’s Office who indicated via email, that Gooding’s trial is scheduled for October 31. He is charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse the case will be brought before Judge C. Farber. Cuba Gooding Jr. is scheduled to reappear in court Friday, August 14, 2020.
