Jane Doe's Statement
An email statement from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York’s spokesperson said, “There will be no trial in the above matter.” No further details were mentioned.
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In the complete statement, Doe alleged that she first met Gooding in 2013 while out with a friend in Greenwich Village. She also claimed that the group went to a hotel lounge close by and that Gooding persuaded her to stop at his hotel room while he changed into different clothes. Allegedly, she said Gooding blocked the door’s entrance, pushed her onto the bed, and forced himself on her, ignoring her adamant refusal to stop.
While Doe has remained anonymous, Judge Paul Crotty said she would be required to give her name at the federal trial.
Gooding's Actions Caused Significant Harm
According to the Associated Press, Gooding’s lawyers said that Doe boasted about sleeping with a celebrity and that the sex was consensual.
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In the court papers, Doe’s lawyers said the residual effects of the events of that night in 2013 have resulted in “significant emotional distress.” She also experienced suicidal thoughts, binge eating, immense anxiety, and low self-esteem. Doe sought a total of $6 million in compensatory damages.
It Wasn't The First Time Gooding Has Been Accused
Gooding has been accused of sexual misconduct multiple times throughout the years. In 2019, a woman alleged that Gooding touched her without consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge in New York. As a result, he was arrested and received a misdemeanor charge after pleading not guilty.
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In April of 2022, another case came against him after a woman at a New York nightclub claimed he forcibly kissed her in 2018, again without consent. Gooding pleaded guilty and avoided up to a year of jail time. After complying with all requirements, including attending alcohol and behavior modification counseling, the actor didn’t receive a criminal record.
It's Just Another Example Of Celebrities Receiving Special Treatment
One of the three female victims who accused Gooding of forcible touching shared that the settlement was just another example of a celebrity receiving special treatment.
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The three women were supposed to testify at the federal trial. Gloria Allred, one of Doe’s lawyers, is famous for protecting the accusers in high-profile celebrity cases regarding sexual abuse and misconduct.