Two women filed lawsuits against Cuba Gooding Jr. One is alleging a forced kiss without consent in 2018 at Lavo nightclub. The other accused him of groping her breast in 2019 at the Magic Hour rooftop bar in Manhattan. Despite a criminal prosecution that led to his guilty plea without jail time, the actor faces new legal challenges. Cuba Gooding Jr. is again entangled in Dual Sexual Assault Lawsuits, Under New York’s Adult Survivors Statute.
Lawyers who previously represented him in similar cases have not yet commented. Gloria Allred, representing the plaintiffs, indicated their pursuit of justice and accountability through these civil cases after being deprived of justice in the criminal proceedings.
The legal actions were initiated on Wednesday at the New York Supreme Court, leveraging the state’s Adult Survivors Act, anticipated to lapse imminently. This legislation affords plaintiffs an opportunity to pursue civil claims for sexual offences previously restricted by the statute of limitations.
Previous Legal Action
The lawsuit is the most recent legal action against Gooding, following a settlement in June with a woman who accused him of rape in 2013.
The 2018 allegation involves a cocktail waitress employed at LAVO restaurant and nightclub in New York. She asserted that Gooding forcefully inserted his tongue into her mouth without consent. Last year, Gooding pleaded guilty to a charge linked to this incident. The lawsuit incorporates excerpts from an April 2022 hearing where Gooding acknowledged the behaviour. The plaintiff requested anonymity.
In the 2019 accusation, Kelsey Harbert claimed that Gooding groped her breast when she sat beside him and his girlfriend at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge. The lawsuit stated,
“In response, the Plaintiff grasped the Defendant’s hand to remove it from her breast. In turn, the Defendant took her hand, brought it toward his mouth, and attempted to kiss it.”
Following the incident, Harbert filed a police report. Gooding admitted guilt, and the lawyers provided a statement acknowledging the interactions under the “non-consensual physical contact”.
In October 2022, Gooding avoided imprisonment, following a judge’s determination that he complied with the terms of a plea deal. He substituted his misdemeanour plea with a noncriminal harassment violation.
Current Dual Sexual Assault Lawsuits Under New York’s Adult Survivors Statute
Both plaintiffs are pursuing compensation for various damages. They include lost wages, emotional distress, punitive and liquidated damages, along with attorney fees. A representative for Gooding has not responded yet to the current allegations of Cuba Gooding Jr. being entangled in dual sexual assault lawsuits
Gloria Allred, the legal representative for the plaintiffs, emphasized,
“Our clients were denied the justice they sought in the criminal proceedings. They now seek accountability and justice through civil litigation. We stand by their bravery and are committed to fiercely advocating for them until they receive the justice they rightly deserve.”
Gloria Allred, Legal Representative of the Plaintiffs
The enactment of the Adult Survivors Acts
“The enactment of the Adult Survivors Acts has empowered victims to step forward despite the passage of time and seek reparation for the harm they’ve endured,” stated Douglas Wigdor. He was representing the plaintiff and Julia Ormond in her lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, CAA, and Disney.
However, many have questioned the reason behind many sexual lawsuits against Black celebrities. Others believe it is a ploy targeting affluent men for huge financial gains.
Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesperson, who refused to comment on the actor’s lawsuits, highlighted a broader perspective:
“There might be more to this situation. I urge the public to engage with legislators to close these look-back windows as they’re being exploited to target successful, affluent men like Diddy, Steven Tyler, and LA Reid. When will this end, and who will be the next target of these Look-Back Windows?”
Adry Wyatt, Cosby’s Spokesperson
A study conducted by Pacific Standard showed that Black celebrities facing rape accusations encountered more negative perceptions. Compared to non-celebrities, the situation was the opposite for white individuals.
The researchers from Southwestern University, Jennifer Knight, Traci Guiliano, and Monica Sanchez-Ross, noted in the journal Basic and Applied Social Psychology that for black defendants accused of rape, “celebrity status posed a disadvantage.” Conversely, they observed that fame “offered clear benefits for white defendants.”
Their study indicated that when facing sexual assault allegations, “Black celebrities encountered more negative perceptions compared to black non-celebrities.” In contrast, “white celebrities remain more favourably than white non-celebrities.”
A recurring statement:
“ALTHOUGH PARTICIPANTS PREFERRED TO PUNISH WHITE CELEBRITIES AND WHITE NON-CELEBRITIES ABOUT EQUALLY, THEY TENDED TO PREFER HARSHER PUNISHMENTS FOR BLACK CELEBRITIES THAN FOR BLACK NON-CELEBRITIES.”
As we wait for the case to unfold, one may ponder whether the case for Cuba Gooding Jr is among many more that Black celebrities will face in the near future.