WASHINGTON — One of Herman Cain’s accusers alleged “several incidents of sexual harassment” in a formal complaint more than a decade ago, her attorney disclosed Friday in a fresh allegation that could complicate the Republican presidential hopeful’s determined bid to lay the politically explosive controversy to rest.
The lawyer, Joel Bennett, said his client — married then and now — accepted a financial settlement in leaving her job at the National Restaurant Association shortly after lodging the complaint against Cain, who was then the trade group’s head.
Bennett did not name the woman, who he said had decided not “to relive the specifics” of the incidents in a public forum.
Cain, who tried to return to normal campaigning Friday, has repeatedly denied sexually harassing anyone. His spokesman, J.D. Gordon, said in response to Bennett’s comments, “We’re looking to put this issue behind us and focus on the real issues, which are fixing this broken economy, putting Americans back to work and strengthening national security.”
Apart from disclosing that his client alleged more than one incident, Bennett’s remarks added little of substance to a controversy that erupted nearly a week ago.
“She made a complaint in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances from the CEO” of the restaurant organization, he said.
In a statement late in the day, Dawn Sweeney, the trade group’s current chief executive, said Cain disputed the allegations at the time they were made. Cain has contended an internal investigation at the time of the complaint showed no evidence of improper conduct by him, but Sweeney did not address that issue.
According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, Cain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are running nearly even atop the field of 2012 GOP presidential hopefuls, with most Republicans dismissing the harassment allegations.
Seven in 10 Republicans say the reports do not matter when it comes to picking a candidate.
The Washington Post contributed to this report.
