Cuba Gooding Jr. finds himself entangled in yet another legal battle, this time facing accusations of sexual assault brought forth by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr., who amended his lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs to include the actor. Court documents reveal the latest developments in this ongoing saga, which has taken a dramatic turn with Gooding now listed as a defendant alongside Combs.
Jones, a producer who previously worked for Combs, initially filed a lawsuit in February, alleging a range of misconduct by Combs, including sexual harassment and coercion. However, the recent amendment to the lawsuit now implicates Gooding in the alleged offenses, claiming that the Oscar winner engaged in inappropriate behavior during a January 2023 trip on Combs’ yacht in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
According to the complaint, Gooding’s actions on the yacht were deeply unsettling for Jones. The lawsuit describes how Gooding allegedly “began touching, groping, and fondling [Jones’] legs, his upper inner thighs near his groin, the small of his back near his buttocks, and his shoulders.” Jones felt increasingly uncomfortable, particularly as he perceived Combs as grooming him to be passed off to his friends, with Gooding being one such individual.
Despite Jones’ rejection of Gooding’s advances, the actor purportedly persisted until Jones forcefully pushed him away. This disturbing incident, as detailed in the lawsuit, sheds light on the pervasive nature of sexual misconduct within certain circles of power and influence.
Gooding, who has faced previous sexual assault allegations, now confronts yet another legal challenge. In April 2022, he pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman at a New York City rooftop bar in 2018. Additionally, in June 2023, Gooding settled a lawsuit in which he was accused of raping a woman twice in 2013. These prior allegations against Gooding underscore the seriousness of the accusations now levied against him by Jones.
Representatives for Gooding have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these latest allegations. However, the gravity of the situation cannot be understated, especially considering the recent federal raids on Combs’ properties, which are said to be part of an ongoing investigation.