GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain has denied a report alleging that he sexually harassed women during his time as head of the National Restaurant Association.
Politico released a story Sunday evening, noting that at least two female employees made complaints about Cain:
During Herman Cain’s tenure as the head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, at least two female employees complained to colleagues and senior association officials about inappropriate behavior by Cain, ultimately leaving their jobs at the trade group, multiple sources confirm to POLITICO.
The women complained of sexually suggestive behavior by Cain that made them angry and uncomfortable, the sources said, and they signed agreements with the restaurant group that gave them financial payouts to leave the association. The agreements also included language that bars the women from talking about their departures.
In a statement given to the Associated Press, Cain's campaign labeled the Politico report as "dredging up thinly sourced allegations" from his tenure at the trade group. Spokesman J.D. Gordon told the AP that the claims include "unsubstantiated personal attacks", adding that the press is "casting aspersions on his character and spreading rumors that never stood up to the facts."
Cain's camp entered Sunday riding an Iowa high. A key Des Moines Register poll unveiled on Saturday shows the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza in a virtual tie with rival Mitt Romney for the lead in the GOP 2012 primary.
Polls aside, Gordon addressed the allegations in a Sunday night interview with Fox News' Geraldo Rivera. The veteran host pushed Cain's spokesman on the charges, urging him "to say something publicly right now."
"These two sources aren't even named in the piece and it was from a third party," Gordon replied.
"Are you denying it ever happened, J.D. Gordon?" Geraldo asked.
"What I'm saying is that these are thin allegations, that this is non-sourced," Gordon answered. "And so right now, we're just trying to put this into perspective for you -- that this is not even a sourced allegation."
WATCH the interview here (Via Mediaite):
According to the AP, aides did not immediately respond to whether Cain would make his planned Monday appearances. His schedule included a tax-plan talk at American Enterprise Institute, a luncheon at the National Press Club and a healthcare briefing on Capitol Hill.