Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain struggled to keep his candidacy alive on Thursday, denouncing the media and attacking rivals amid revelations that he was repeatedly accused of sexual harassment in his time as a Washington lobbyist.
.
But four days after
facts came to light that two women
had received cash payments after accusing him of harassment in the 1990s, Cain's public image was still being tarnished by the threat of a damaging written statement by one of his accusers and his own campaign's handling of the scandal.
Cain has said consistently he never sexually harassed anyone, but his answers to other pertinent questions keep changing.
In one instance, he first denied knowing of any financial settlements with his accusers, then said he recalled one. He explained the apparent contradiction by saying that he had been aware of an "agreement" but not a "settlement."
The publication cited multiple sources, including an acquaintance of the woman and a person who attended the restaurant association meeting at which the woman lodged her complaint.
Joel Bennett, an attorney for one of the women alleging sexual harassment,
said he was seeking permission from the National Restaurant Association to release a statement on her behalf. Under an agreement reached in 1999, the woman agreed not to speak publicly about the episode she said occurred when she worked for the trade group and Cain was its president
Candidate Cain struggles with harassment scandal - politics - msnbc.com
Since it was reported late Sunday that at least two women had complained about Cain when they worked at the National Restaurant Association —
and had received financial settlements — Cain has said consistently he never sexually harassed anyone. But his answers to other pertinent questions have changed. In one instance,
he first denied knowing of any
settlements with former employees,
then said he recalled one, explaining he had been aware of an "agreement" but not a "settlement."
Doesn't say anything about a "severence" package.
Asked whether he would like his former employer to agree to the request, Cain sidestepped.
Cain struggles to overcome allegations controversy - politics - Decision 2012 - msnbc.com
Joel P. Bennett, a lawyer representing one of two women who made the claims against Cain, said Tuesday that
his client is barred from publicly relating her side because of a non-disclosure agreement she signed upon leaving the National Restaurant Association, where Cain served as president from 1996 through 1999.
Bennett is calling on the association to waive the agreement so the woman, a federal worker living in suburban Maryland, can rebut Cain’s statements this week that the allegations were false and baseless.
“It is just frustrating that Herman Cain is going around bad-mouthing the two complainants, and
my client is blocked by a confidentiality agreement,” Bennett said in an interview. “The National Restaurant Association ought to release them and allow them to respond.”
The New York Times reported Tuesday night that
a second woman received a settlement of $35,000, or one year’s salary, after Cain made her uncomfortable working at the restaurant association, according to three people with direct knowledge of the payment.
He first said he had no knowledge of a settlement but later said he knew some details of the payout.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/inves...by-agreement/2011/11/01/gIQA0bOIdM_story.html
