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Herman Cain campaign denies sexual harassment allegations Herman Cain campaign denies sexual harassment allegations
(about 1 hour later)
Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain's campaign has been thrown on the defensive by claims he was accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s. Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain has held off questions about allegations he was accused of sexual harassment in the 1990s.
Politico reported two female employees had complained of sexually suggestive behaviour from Mr Cain when he led a restaurant lobby group. Politico reported that two female employees complained of sexually suggestive behaviour from Mr Cain when he led a restaurant lobby group.
It said the National Restaurant Association paid the women to leave the group and not speak on the allegations.It said the National Restaurant Association paid the women to leave the group and not speak on the allegations.
Mr Cain's spokesman said the allegations were "unsubstantiated".Mr Cain's spokesman said the allegations were "unsubstantiated".
He appeared at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC on Monday to discuss his tax plan, and was scheduled to address the National Press Club in the city later in the day. 'Man of integrity'
"Fearing the message of Herman Cain, who is shaking up the political landscape in Washington, inside-the-Beltway media have begun to launch unsubstantiated personal attacks on Cain," spokesman JD Gordon said in a statement. During a Monday morning appearance to discuss tax reform at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, Mr Cain did not address the allegations.
"Dredging up thinly sourced allegations stemming from Mr Cain's tenure as the chief executive officer at the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, political trade press are now casting aspersions on his character and spreading rumours that never stood up to the facts," Mr Gordon's statement said. "I will take all your arrows later", said the candidate, who is scheduled to appear at the National Press Club in the city at 1230EDT (1630GMT).
However, his campaign has denied the reports.
"Let me tell you that Herman Cain has never sexually harassed anybody, period. End of story," Mr Cain's chief of staff, Mark Block, told MSNBC on Monday morning.
Mr Block said top officials at the National Restaurant Association thought Mr Cain was "a man of total integrity".
An earlier statement attacked the source of the story.
"Dredging up thinly sourced allegations stemming from Mr Cain's tenure as the chief executive officer at the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, political trade press are now casting aspersions on his character and spreading rumours that never stood up to the facts," spokesman JD Gordon said in a statement on Sunday.
The Cain campaign also responded on Twitter. "From Team HC: Sadly we've seen this movie played out before. Mr. Cain and all Americans deserve better," @THEHermanCain tweeted.The Cain campaign also responded on Twitter. "From Team HC: Sadly we've seen this movie played out before. Mr. Cain and all Americans deserve better," @THEHermanCain tweeted.
'Sexually suggestive''Sexually suggestive'
Mr Cain, who was CEO of Godfather's Pizza before heading the restaurant lobby group, has taken a lead in many opinion polls of Republicans in recent weeks despite never having held public office.Mr Cain, who was CEO of Godfather's Pizza before heading the restaurant lobby group, has taken a lead in many opinion polls of Republicans in recent weeks despite never having held public office.
Politico said it had confirmed the identities of two former female employees of the National Restaurant Association who made sexual harassment complaints to colleagues and association officials about Mr Cain, but was not publishing their names out of concerns for their privacy.Politico said it had confirmed the identities of two former female employees of the National Restaurant Association who made sexual harassment complaints to colleagues and association officials about Mr Cain, but was not publishing their names out of concerns for their privacy.
The website said the allegations included conversations "filled with innuendo or personal questions of a sexually suggestive nature" at association events.The website said the allegations included conversations "filled with innuendo or personal questions of a sexually suggestive nature" at association events.
Mr Cain also allegedly gave "descriptions of physical gestures that were not overtly sexual, but that made women who experienced them or witnessed them uncomfortable".Mr Cain also allegedly gave "descriptions of physical gestures that were not overtly sexual, but that made women who experienced them or witnessed them uncomfortable".
Politico said its report was based on multiple sources and documentation, including the recollections of close associates of the two women.Politico said its report was based on multiple sources and documentation, including the recollections of close associates of the two women.
When asked by Politico on Sunday about the allegations, Mr Cain said he has "had thousands of people working for me" at different businesses over the years and could not comment "until I see some facts or some concrete evidence".When asked by Politico on Sunday about the allegations, Mr Cain said he has "had thousands of people working for me" at different businesses over the years and could not comment "until I see some facts or some concrete evidence".
A poll on Saturday placed Mr Cain ahead of main rival former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in Iowa, which holds the first of a series of state-by-state contests to choose the Republican candidate. A poll on Saturday placed Mr Cain ahead of his main rival, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, in Iowa, which holds the first of a series of state-by-state contests to choose the Republican candidate.
The hopefuls are vying to become the Republican nominee to challenge President Barack Obama for the White House in November 2012.The hopefuls are vying to become the Republican nominee to challenge President Barack Obama for the White House in November 2012.