Lawyer: Cain accusers should be allowed to talk

By: Jan Crawford
Topics: News

Additional reporting by Laura Strickler and Josh Gaynor

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain went on the offensive today against allegations that he sexually harrassed two women more than a decade ago.

CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford reports his supporters rallied to his defense, even arguing the revelations were calculated attacks motivated by race. Americans for Herman Cain the super PAC backing his campaign, said in an email to supporters "this is what the Left always does. Just like they did to Clarence Thomas, they are engaging in a 'high tech lynching' by smearing Herman Cain's reputation and character."

Herman Cain political committee invokes "high tech lynching"

But Joel Bennett, the lawyer for one of the accusers, who is a married federal employee who lives in Maryland, told CBS News today that his client is telling the truth.

"I wouldn't characterize it as an ax to grind," Bennett said. "I'm sure she feels as though she wasn't treated properly by Herman Cain."

But Bennett said said he does not remember the specific allegations, or what kind of settlement they eventually reached.

Is Cain taking scandal from bad to worse?

Cain has said he remembers one woman accusing him of harassmentand described the episode on PBS' Newshour last night.

"I reference this lady's height," Cain said. "And I was standing near her and I did this, saying 'you're the same height as my wife.'"

Bennett said Cain was talking about the case of another woman, not his client. But Bennett said now that Cain is talking about specifics, the confidentiality agreements may no longer be binding.

"I think the National Restaurant Associaion ought to waive the confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions and let the two women, if they choose to do so, come forward and tell their stories so that it can get a complete public airing," Bennett said.

The National Restaurant Association released the following statement after public remarks by attorney Joel Bennett:

"We have seen media reports that attorney Joel Bennett is publicly making requests on behalf of a former National Restaurant Association employee. Mr. Bennett has not been in contact with the Association. If we are contacted by Mr. Bennett, we will respond as appropriate," said Sue Hensley, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Communications for the National Restaurant Association.

Meanwhile, The New York Times is now reporting that one of Cain's accusers received $35,000 -- a year's salary -- in severance pay to leave the organization.

Jan Crawford
Jan Crawford is CBS News Chief Political and Legal Correspondent. She is from "Crossroads," Alabama.
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by ndoki53@yahoo.com November 4, 2011 12:39 AM EDT: As a nation and a nation of people we have no shame. We are just as corrupt and unethical as the other nations we always point fingers at. Any person remotely associated with any presidential - past or present - can and will make money.

What is even more sad is the "dirty-games" and "dirt-digging" the other candidates play on each other just to win. They all look like bickering immature children in the debates. None have any character to stand up to say "this is wrong" and "this is not how I want to win."

If you dig deep enough you can find something on anyone.

"Let him without sin cast the first stone."

We are a nation of self-righteous "stone throwers." So much so, that we have stoned our nation literally to death. The integrity, honesty, and character is gone.; Reply to this comment


by noloyalisti November 2, 2011 9:41 PM EDT: No, no, no Cain is a Republicon. Laws and mores, rules and morals only apply to others. That's how Republicons like this bozo think. Does anyone wonder why they can't win an election without cheating?; Reply to this comment


by daniwitz13-2009 November 2, 2011 6:59 PM EDT: The media should ask those Women if they felt "uncomfortable" receiving whatever money they got? He says a few words, they get "uncomfortable" but evidently NOT from getting Money from him or wherever. Are these Women willing to give back all that they have gained from the money they received to now tell their side of the story? Are they willing to wait 'til after the election to tell their side? If they have an agenda, the answer is NO. Most people, even lawyers and Judges do NOT understand harassment. That is why he and his manager keep on saying he did not harass anyone. He DID. Let me explain: If someone (man or woman) happen to say to you, "your hair is getting a little grey". This makes you 'uncomfortable' and you call it 'harassment'. It is NOT harassment on his side but harassment on your side. The "word" of choice is harassment. Just a 'word'. Now the Question? Did you harass me? YES! Did you say those words 'grey'? YES! Then you harassed ME. I will call it harassment, the lawyers and Courts will call it harassment because I called it harassment. It does NOT matter what you think it is, I think it's harassment. And harassment it is. So the answer is always yes, if that is what one WANTS to call it. Is it a crime, hell no. Does it amount to anything, hell no. But did you harass, Hell yes. if you say so. Am I making this clear??; Reply to this comment


by Tommy335 November 2, 2011 5:17 PM EDT: Its pretty simply: these women shouldn't have taken money and signed a non-disclosure agreement if they wanted to go public. The attorneys are simply wrong to unearth this after the two parties both agreed to it years ago...; Reply to this comment


by johnny7777 November 2, 2011 4:24 PM EDT: Yeah, Herman pinched their a$$es at a cocktail party.... so what. Who cares. Dirty hos. Don't go to these events if you can't take the heat. I say send the lawyer and the women to go live in Libya, Iraq or some other country. Dirty swine. Settlement for what???? People making money like this make me sick, and now the guy is finished. They have totally ruined a real guy. I would still vote for him. At least he's not a dirty freak lesbian or a ***.; Reply to this comment


by WhatAboutTheFacts November 2, 2011 2:36 PM EDT: I cannot wait to hear from the accuser.

I am getting the popcorn and soda ready for the Wednesday night show.

(And my camera too for the media's egg on face moment)

P.S What are the specific allegations of misconduct. Oh nevermind, you'll ruin the main event with a silly thing like facts CBS.; Reply to this comment


by jumpinjackie November 2, 2011 2:27 PM EDT: I have no opinion one way or another on this. I'm sure the truth will leak out at some point in time.

What really gets me though is that people sign contracts in this country that aren't worth the paper they're written on. If these ladies were paid a severance package and signed confidentiality agreements, then their attorney and they should honor those agreements. That should be the end of it. Until courts start to uphold contract law and people start to live by their word, we'll remain a litigious society.; Reply to this comment


by NadePaulKuciGravMcKi November 2, 2011 2:10 PM EDT: #OWS
#911truth
panem et circenses
Bread And Circuses
starring The Hermanator
& remnants of Cain Train
Ladies just do not understand your sense of humor !
ladies just don't understand the context of your words
Nader Paul Kucinich Gravel McKinney Baldwin Ventura Sheehan
Catch the mist, Catch the myth, Catch the mystery, Catch the drift; Reply to this comment


by doneinone November 2, 2011 1:06 PM EDT: Let them tell their stories but they should not get 1 penny for it. They already profited from what happened or didn't happen.; Reply to this comment

by stn_sage November 2, 2011 11:49 AM EDT

Ob course, they should be allowed to come forward and tell their stories!
Severance pay or benefits shouldn't be construed as a payoff or buyout, and as such, shouldn't prevent them from coming forward
and telling their stories!
But both parties ought to be truthful about what happened, and
stop posturing and playing games over these issues!

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by jumpinjackie November 2, 2011 2:35 PM EDT: Agreed, however, if they have signed a confidentiality agreement, then they need to honor that and keep their mouths shut. This isn't really about one party or another. It's just another media circus.