Cuba Gooding Jr. Settles Accusations of Rape Before Trial Begins

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. has settled accusations that he raped a woman in a New York City hotel a decade ago, according to court records. The trial was to start with jury selection in New York federal court as the Oscar-winning “Jerry Maguire” star faced allegations that he met the woman in Manhattan, persuaded her to join him at a hotel, and convinced her to stop at his room so he could change clothing.

His lawyers, though, insisted that it was consensual sex and that the actor had no criminal intent. Minutes after jurors were to begin assembling in a courtroom, a calendar entry in the official court record said: “TRIAL OFF.”

The settlement was reached just before the trial was set to begin. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The accuser’s attorney, Mariann Wang, said in a statement that her client was “pleased to have achieved a measure of justice.”

Gooding’s attorney, Mark Heller, said in a statement that the settlement was “amicable” and that the actor was “pleased to have the matter behind him.” Heller said the settlement was “in no way an admission of guilt or liability” and that Gooding “maintains his innocence.”

The settlement brings to an end a case that has been ongoing for more than a year. Gooding had been facing up to seven years in prison if convicted. The settlement marks the end of a long legal battle for the actor, who had maintained his innocence throughout.