Actor Cuba Gooding Jr pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a 2018 rape charge of forcibly touching a woman at a New York City nightclub.
Gooding admitted to kissing a waitress woman on the lips without her consent at the club. He also acknowledged two other incidents of non-consensual contact in October 2018 and June 2019.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gooding is to continue with alcohol and behavior modification treatment for six months and no new arrests. After that, he can again plead for harassment.
If he successfully complies with the terms and re-requests for a reduced fee, Gooding could face periodic punishment. If he does not comply with the conditions, he can be jailed for up to one year.
Gooding's attorney Peter Toumbekis said in a statement: "Cuban Gooding Jr. filed a petition again today, seeking that in six months his case will be settled with violations, which are not crimes, resulting in no criminal record. " CNN.
The delayed case against Gooding first began in June 2019 when the actor was accused of forcible touching.
An additional charge was filed against him in October 2019.
He had previously pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Gooding's attorneys at one time filed a motion to dismiss the case but it was denied.
Gooding's trial was scheduled to begin in April 2020, but was delayed due to the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In August 2020, Manhattan prosecutors said that at least 30 women had come forward with allegations of unwanted touching by the Oscar-winning actor.
Assistant District Attorney Colleen Balbert told court Wednesday that Gooding has been consulting since September 2019 to address his behavior and ensure he doesn't commit a crime again.