Cuba Gooding Jr. touched the backside of a Tao nightclub server in Chelsea, according to a recently released video of the incident.
In the black and white surveillance footage obtained by TMZ, the actor passes server Natasha Ashworth, then turns around and pats her on the shoulder as she’s chatting with another man.
He then reaches behind her and touches her backside prompting her to move away, according to footage of the Oct. 24, 2018 encounter.
He appears to try to touch her buttocks again but she swats his arm away. A man intervenes and escorts Gooding outside.
The “Jerry Maguire” actor has been indicted on charges of misdemeanor sexual abuse and forcible touching for the incident. Gooding is slated to be arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on charges related to a new accuser and is expected to plead not guilty.
Ashworth filed a suit against the actor earlier this month alleging assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She says that before the butt “pinch,” Gooding asked her, “Do you want to see my impression of a penis?” She said no but he proceeded anyway, according to the suit.
“The video clearly does not reveal as alleged by the accuser that Cuba pinched her butt,” said Gooding’s defense lawyer Mark Jay Heller. “He simply tapped her back as he exited the facility, which does not constitute a crime.”
He faces six counts of misdemeanor sexual abuse and forcible touching for alleged crimes against three women. A total of 14 women have come forward and accused him of touching them inappropriately.
In June, he was first arrested after a woman told police he squeezed her breast at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge at the Moxy hotel.
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