Herman Cain Sexual Harassment Charges: 'Payment for Silence'

by NowPublic Staff | October 31, 2011 at 09:02 am

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2 Women Charge Herman Cain with Sexual Harassment

Politico published a story stating that two women have accused Herman Cain of sexual harassment. These instances allegedly took place when Cain was head of the National Restaurant Association in the nineties.

Herman Cain is addressing the Press Club on October 31; He is expected to address the sexual harassment allegations:

Herman Cain Press Conference Live (MSNBC)

Both women were allegedly offered 5-figure cash settlements to leave the National Restaurant Association and keep quiet. This is the first part of vetting this story: it is not the norm for employees to get paid to quit. NBC confirmed that at least one of these payouts actually took place.

The names of Herman Cain's accusers have not been made public.

Herman Cain did not seem prepared to be confronted with these allegations, as his initial response showed:

He was then asked, “Have you ever been accused, sir, in your life of harassment by a woman?”

He breathed audibly, glared at the reporter and stayed silent for several seconds. After the question was repeated three times, he responded by asking the reporter, “Have you ever been accused of sexual harassment?”

The Cain camp later denied the allegations.

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The 1

at 09:30 on October 31st, 2011

Ouch ! Cain gets a little straight talk directed back at him..

cceerpp

at 16:35 on October 31st, 2011

You think so?

Karen Hatter

at 12:24 on October 31st, 2011

I wasn't surprised to hear Mr. Cain's feigned indignation at the charges by using his hero Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' phrase "high tech lynching."

An interesting thing about Black conservatives, especially Republicans, is that their race NEVER, EVER comes into view as a reason or rationale for ANYTHING that has occurred, or NOT occurred, in their lives until they are confronted with some scenario of which they'd rather not have to deal. THEN, it's cries of 'They're doing this 'cause I'm Black!'

This may only be the beginning of Mr. Cain's problems or an ongoing possible tour of explanations as he stated at the National Press Club that he was unaware of any settlement paid to any of the women who had alleged his misconduct.

That claim seems rather specious if he was the head of the National Restaurant Association. It doesn't ring true that if any settlement were reached that Mr. Cain would not be made aware of such actions.

The 1

at 12:35 on October 31st, 2011

Of course..lol I'll only add that if this 'straight talk'n blow back' turns out to be true, Cain's Presidential political aspirations will be over..

Karen Hatter

at 12:39 on October 31st, 2011

What's most sad about this, 1, is there is the possibility he could have gotten in front of this in a better way than he did.

Most likely the ongoing focus will be on HOW this unfolded. His campaign had been contacted on October 20. Yet, when he is first seen in public not addressing the issue, he seemed unprepared.

Based on his most recent, subsequent statements, which is sort of like 'Oh THOSE allegations!', he stands firm that there was no improper actions, which is what he should have said in the first place if he wanted any credibility.

His timing on all of this is way off.

The 1

at 12:47 on October 31st, 2011

Good points Karen, plus I did hear one of those women actually received a large cash settlement to keep quiet about all of it_not good for Cain's claim of "non-involvement" or "never sexually harassed anybody"..

Karen Hatter

at 12:53 on October 31st, 2011

Thanks, 1, and it looks like Mr. Cain is going down for the count.

At the National Press Club, Mr. Cain feigned ignorance of details involving the settlement BUT, shortly after leaving there to do a FOX channel interview, he talks specifics involving payments to one of the women.

sinha12

at 06:05 on November 1st, 2011

the 1 has good point also. yes it's true she received a large cash settlement to keep quiet.

Karen Hatter

at 07:17 on November 1st, 2011

Of course, this alleged sexual misconduct fervor may also be an unexpected gift of prestidigitation, provided knowingly OR unknowing, by the salacious hunger of many within the press corp, driven by that sort of thing.

While everyone is focusing on did he or didn't he ....

Herman Cain's two top campaign aides ran a private Wisconsin-based corporation that helped the GOP presidential candidate get his fledgling campaign off the ground by originally footing the bill for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses for such items as iPads, chartered flights and travel to Iowa and Las Vegas - something that might breach federal tax and campaign law, according to sources and documents.

Internal financial records obtained by No Quarter show thatProsperity USA said it was owed about $40,000 by the Cain campaign for a variety of items in February and March. Cain began taking donations for his presidential bid on Jan. 1.

Prosperity USA was owned and run by Wisconsin political operatives Mark Block and Linda Hansen, Cain's current chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, respectively....

Election law experts say the transactions raise a host of questions for the private organization, which billed itself as a tax-exempt nonprofit, and the Cain team.

"If the records accurately reflect what occurred, this is way out of bounds," said a Washington, D.C.-based election lawyer who advises many Republican candidates and conservative groups on campaign issues. The lawyer asked not to be identified because of those affiliations.

Michael Maistelman, a Wisconsin campaign attorney, agreed.

"The number of questionable and possibly illegal transactions conducted on behalf of Herman Cain is staggering," said Maistelman, a Democrat who has represented politicians from both parties on campaign issues.

Block and Hansen have not returned numerous calls in recent days.

The 1

at 11:55 on November 1st, 2011

"Of course, this alleged sexual misconduct fervor may also be an unexpected gift of prestidigitation, provided knowingly OR unknowing, by the salacious hunger of many within the press corp, driven by that sort of thing."

"While everyone is focusing on did he or didn't he ...."

Could be Karen, but I doubt it. Cain is under a magnifying glass now. His own ego and demeanor seems to be playing into this scrutiny. And as this progresses, it only seems to be getting worst for Cain now as his story just keeps changing..

"If the records accurately reflect what occurred, this is way out of bounds," said a Washington, D.C.-based election lawyer who advises many Republican candidates and conservative groups on campaign issues. The lawyer asked not to be identified because of those affiliations."

Oh well, paying for this political bs is something Cain may have over looked in the business environment he comes from, not being as he has stated many times now_"I'm not a politician, I'm a businessman".

Karen Hatter

at 15:58 on November 1st, 2011

You know, 1, I mainly wrote what I wrote because there were dribs and drabs of possible financial irregularities being reported, gathering momentum and then POOF!, the sexier stuff took center stage.

Your point that Mr. Cain's story keeps changing is exactly what is and will continue to cause him problems.

You really buy his 'Aw shucks! I'm not a politician so I don't know exactly how to play the game!' routine, 1? There is most likely a small element of truth to that but some of these mistakes seem to belie common sense.

Of course, a great deal of blame must be lain at the feet of his campaign staff. They should be working to protect him from himself but, if his ego is in any way like Sarah Palin's, ( I use her because her staff has said she wouldn't take their advice), he's in big trouble..

The 1

at 16:10 on November 1st, 2011

Thanks for that Karen..Maybe 'POOF' is a good way of describing Cains campaign aspirations now_as in going up in smoke..To bad, I kind of liked him at first, especially with the field of rejects the republicans have now..