Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. entered a plea of guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanour charge of forcibly touching a woman at a New York City nightclub in 2018.
Gooding admitted to kissing the woman, a waitress at the club, on her lips without consent. He also admitted to two other incidents of non-consensual contact in October 2018 and June 2019.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gooding is to continue alcohol and behaviour modification treatment for six months and have no new arrests. After that time, he can re-plead to harassment.
If he successfully follows the terms and re-pleads to the lesser charge, Gooding can face a sentence to time served. If he does not comply with the terms, he could face up to one year in jail.
"Cuba Gooding Jr. entered into a re-pleader today whereby in six months his case will be disposed of with a violation, which is not a crime, resulting in no criminal record," Gooding's attorney, Peter Toumbekis, said in a statement to CNN.
The delay-ridden case against Gooding first began in June 2019 when the actor was charged with forcible touching.
An additional charge was brought against him in October 2019. He'd previously pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Gooding's lawyers at one point filed a motion to dismiss the case but it was denied.
Gooding's trial was set to begin in April 2020 but was delayed because of lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In August 2020, Manhattan prosecutors said that at least 30 women had come forward with accusations of unwanted touching by the Oscar-winning actor.
Assistant district attorney Coleen Balbert said in court on Wednesday that Gooding has been in counselling since September 2019 to address behaviour he engaged in and to ensure he doesn't re-offend.
Latest Stories
-
2 Things: Sista Afia releases first song off her upcoming album
16 seconds -
CAF Confederation Cup: I’ve learned valuable lessons that will help future generations – Karim Zito
25 mins -
Create partnership with Ghanaian businesses – K.T. Hammond tells U.S. business leaders
26 mins -
5 dead, over 14 injured in gory accident near Obuasi
1 hour -
Without my approval, no road can be constructed in Ghana – Akufo-Addo
1 hour -
Cleaner to stand trial over Cashier’s death at Twumasiwaa Hospital
1 hour -
Bawumia pledges full Ghanaian ownership of natural resources if elected president
1 hour -
Global financial institutions call for comprehensive treaty to end plastic pollution
2 hours -
Electoral processes, ethnoreligious cleavages threats to Ghana’s 2024 election – WANEP
2 hours -
ILO study just a projection, and will never come to pass – SSNIT
2 hours -
Harnessing intuition, reasoning, and memory to navigate the AI age
2 hours -
Azumah Nelson Sports Complex: Gov’t advised to terminate project contract
2 hours -
Dumsor will be a thing of the past soon – Bawumia assures
2 hours -
Why do you always run to the media? – EC quizzes IMANI
3 hours -
Francis Doku charges government to market traditional festivals
3 hours