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Cuba Gooding Jr. made headlines earlier this year after he was accused of allegedly groping a woman at a bar. Since then more women are coming forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. Sources say that Gooding is “putting his hands and mouth where they don’t belong.”
The actor was indicted on two or more charges of “inappropriately touching a woman.” The total of accusers has now increased to 15. Gooding Jr. appeared in court in New York where he pleaded not guilty to the new allegations.
According to reports:
Six counts are now attributed to Gooding, related to three incidents. The counts include three counts of forcible touching and three counts of third-degree sexual abuse. All six of the counts are classified as misdemeanors.
Another dozen women have alleged that Gooding groped them, bit them, or kissed them without consent, in addition to the three women whose charges are at the center of the case. The allegations go back as far as 2001.
Mark Heller, Gooding’s lawyer, believed his client is being “maliciously prosecuted.” He says:
“We believe the prosecutor is trying to besmirch the reputation of Cuba, a beloved Bronx native, and trying to establish these charges, which will result in outrage by the public by wasting time and resources and energy of the court that have no place in the criminal court system.”
Gooding is due back in court on January 22, 2020.