Cuba Gooding Jr. leaving court on Thursday.Photo: Frank Franklin II/AP/Shutterstock
Cuba Gooding Jr.flashed a wide smile as he left court in New York on Thursday after being released from police custody.
TheJerry Maguirestar, 51, was arraigned and charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse in the third degree. He pleaded not guilty to both.
“Get well, Big Papi,” Gooding said of Ortiz, using his famous nickname.
He then told reporters, “It’s been a long day” before getting in his car, according to the AP.
Goodingturned himselfin to the New York Police Department on Thursday, following allegations that hegroped a womanat a rooftop bar in Manhattan over the weekend.
According to theNew York Times, a woman told police that the actor touched her breasts at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge on 7th Avenue in Manhattan.
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The woman said Gooding was “highly intoxicated” and explained that they got into an argument after he inappropriately touched her and she resisted, according toPage Six.
Witnesses at the club told Page Six that Gooding was in a joyful mood and was socializing with other club goers.
“He was super good … and with everyone,” the witness told the outlet.
He was also seen on surveillance cameras leaving the club later in the night, according toPage Six.
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A law enforcement official told theTimesthat investigators found security camera footage that allegedly verified the woman’s allegations.
The woman is a New York University student, theTimesreports.
Gooding’s attorney Mark J. Heller says he has viewed surveillance footage of the “entire event” and “there was not a drop of criminal conduct or inappropriate activity on his part.”
“I know the video, which covered the entire evening, shows absolutely no conduct or any inappropriateness on Cuba’s part,” he tells PEOPLE. “And I am frankly shocked the prosecutor would consider a case like this.”
Heller says he plans to “vigorously defend” theBoyz n the Hoodactor.
“I have known Cuba for almost 30 years and his conduct towards women is always respectful,” he says. “He respects women and he would never engage in that type of activity.”
“I trust the system, let the process speak for itself,” he said. “There’s a tape that shows what really happened.”
source: people.com
