Cuba Gooding Jr. will not go to jail for 'Forcible Touch'

The 54-year-old Gooding Jr. arrived at compliance with his plea agreement, as confirmed by Emily Tuttle, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.

This means Gooding Jr, for the past six months, has attended “alcohol and behaviour modification” treatment and counted zero new arrests.

As is the case (excuse the pun) with such plea bargains, Gooding Jr. also pleaded guilty to a lesser harassment violation charge.

The only drawback here is that this plea will always remain on his record, but no criminal charges will remain.

The actor initially entered the plea deal in April.

Although he was accused of violating three women at various Manhattan venues in 2018 and 2019, the deal covers only a single incident.

Kissing a waitress

“I apologise for making anybody ever feel inappropriately touched,” Gooding Jr said as he confessed to kissing a waitress. “I am a celebrity figure. I come into contact with people. I never want them to feel slighted or uncomfortable in any way.”

The actor, who wan an Oscar for his role in the Tom Cruise film “Jerry McGuire” had accusations levelled at him totalling at least 12 allegations from at least 12 different women dating back to 2001.

After this week’s hearing, one of his accusers, Kelsey Harbert spoke outside of the courtroom.

“At what point are we going to take this seriously? When will we decide that this is dangerous behaviour? And when is it the court’s responsibility to protect the public from someone like him?” Harbert asked. “The system is supposed to be about what he did. Not who he is.

Her view was reportedly echoed by Gooding Jr’s other accusers.