Herman Cain's (Allegedly) Inappropriate Behavior

I heard about this on my LOCAL news this morning...

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.I

The local affiliate was quick to mention that NBC News had not confirmed this information yet. But still I had to ask myself, "Why on earth is my local NBC affiliate running this story?"

Cain's campaign responds:

Herman Cain said Monday he was “falsely accused” of sexual harassment while he was CEO of the National Restaurant Association and had no knowledge of any settlements paid to his accusers.

“It is totally baseless and totally false,” Cain said in a Fox News interview. “Never have I ever committed any kind of sexual harassment.”

He added: “If the restaurant association did a settlement, I wasn’t even aware of it and I hope it wasn’t for much. If there was a settlement, it was handled by some of the other officers at the restaurant association.”

Cain’s response to POLITICO’s report that at least two women had accused him of inappropriate behavior during his NRA tenure came after the GOP presidential candidate’s campaign issued a lengthy statement Sunday night attacking – but not directly denying — the revelations.

Well, Cain has to be happy that he being vetted as a legitimate candidate at this point, no?

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Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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