Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. ordered to pay over $300K to woman in groping case

Cuba Gooding Jr. ordered to pay over $300K to woman who accused him of groping her at a New York bar in 2019

Cuba Gooding Jr. has been ordered by a New York judge to pay more than $300,000 to a woman who accused him of groping her at a Manhattan bar, after the actor failed to respond to the civil lawsuit.

The ruling, delivered by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Richard Latin, found in favour of Kelsey Harbert, who filed the case over an alleged 2019 incident at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar in Times Square. The award includes damages for emotional distress, as well as legal fees incurred during the lengthy proceedings.

Gooding, who won an Academy Award for his performance in Jerry Maguire, was accused of forcibly touching multiple women at various New York City venues between 2018 and 2019. The actor pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in a separate criminal case in 2022, but the plea deal allowed him to avoid jail time after completing mandatory counselling.

In this latest civil case, court documents reveal that Gooding ignored the proceedings entirely, failing to appear or respond despite repeated notifications. As a result, Justice Latin ruled in Harbert’s favour by default, accepting her testimony about the encounter and emotional toll it caused.

Harbert’s legal team described the decision as a “small but significant victory for accountability,” noting that it reinforces the rights of survivors who pursue justice even when criminal penalties are limited.

Gooding’s representatives have not issued any public comment since the judgment was finalised. The actor has largely stayed out of the public eye since his criminal case concluded, though he has occasionally appeared at industry events and charity functions.

The order adds another chapter to Gooding’s long-running legal troubles, which have shadowed his Hollywood career for years. Once celebrated for his energetic performances and charisma, the actor’s public image has been marred by accusations of misconduct and court battles that continue to define his legacy.