Court awards significant damages to alleged victim under New York’s Adult Survivors Act

The Allegations

October 21, 2025: Actor Cuba Gooding Jr., known for Jerry Maguire and The People v. O.J. Simpson, has been ordered to pay more than $300,000 to a woman who accused him of groping her at a New York City bar. The incident allegedly occurred at the Magic Hour rooftop bar in Manhattan in June 2019. The woman, identified as Kelsey Harbert, claimed that Gooding touched her breast without consent while she was working as a cocktail waitress.

Legal Background

Gooding has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct over the years. In April 2022, he pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub in 2018. He was sentenced to probation and required to attend alcohol and behavior modification programs.

The recent civil lawsuit filed by Harbert invoked New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows individuals to sue for sexual offenses that occurred years ago. The court’s decision to award over $300,000 highlights the seriousness with which the allegations were taken.

Public Response and Next Steps

Gooding’s legal team has not publicly commented on the ruling. The actor has previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing, maintaining that any interactions were consensual.

This case continues to draw attention to the ongoing issue of sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and demonstrates the legal avenues available for survivors seeking justice.