Cuba Gooding Jr.’s attorney has offered a rebuttal to allegations that he forcibly touched a woman in New York. His longtime attorney, Mark J. Heller, said, “He’s not alleged to have touched a leg.” He added, “He was sitting with Claudine privately and this woman was literally stalking them, following them from place to place to place.” He closed by stating, “Cuba is very, very polite, he would never rebuff a fan, but this woman literally sat almost on top of Claudine.”
The incident in question took place at Manhattan’s Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge. According reports from the Los Angeles Times, Gooding Jr. is accused of putting his hand on the woman’s leg and breast as his girlfriend, Claudine De Niro, sat between the two. TMZ has since obtained and published a video of the alleged crime. Yesterday, Gooding Jr. turned himself in to the New York Police Department and was charged with forcible touching. The actor plead not guilty and has since been released from custody.
In an interview with People, Heller continued to defend the actor. He said, “I know the video, which covered the entire evening, shows absolutely no conduct or any inappropriateness on Cuba’s part.” He also emphatically noted, “He respects women and he would never engage in that type of activity.”
More details will be reported about the case as they become available.
