Herman Cain fires back at accuser Sharon Bialek

Republican presidential candidate and former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain and Sharon Bialek

/ Getty Images

Updated at 4:35 p.m. ET

In an email sent to supporters today, Republican presidential contender Herman Cain aggressively attacks the first woman to publicly accuse him of sexual misconduct, Sharon Bialek.

Under the subject line, "Who is Sharon Bialek?" the email lays out Bialek's history of filing civil lawsuits as well as her shaky financial history to put her motives into question.

"The fact is that Ms. Bialek has had a long and troubled history, from the courts to personal finances - which may help explain why she has come forward 14 years after an alleged incident with Mr. Cain, powered by celebrity attorney and long term Democrat donor Gloria Allred," the email says.

The email gives a preview of what Cain might say in a press conference in Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon, during which he has promised to address the allegations against him "head on." A total of four women have accused Cain of sexual harassment in the 1990's, when he served as chief executive of the National Restaurant Association, though Bialek is the first to do so publicly. On Tuesday, a fifth woman came forward with a story of questionable behavior on Cain's part.

In a press conference Monday, Bialek said that after a dinner meeting in 1997, Cain put his hand under her skirt and pushed her head toward his crotch.

As his reputation suffers from the building allegations, several Republicans have said the best thing Cain can do for his campaign is directly address the charges. While some have suggested that could mean clarifying any incidences that might have been interpreted as sexual harassment, Cain has emphatically maintained his innocence.

In today's email, the Cain campaign once again calls Bialek's charges "patently false."

The email lists six specific civil lawsuits in which Bialek was a defendant, and it cites a news report saying that Bialek was sued over a paternity matter in 1999. The email also says that public records show Bialek has filed for bankruptcy twice and worked for nine employers over the last 17 years.

"The questions should be - who is financing her legal team, have any media agreed to pay for her story, and has she been offered employment for taking these actions?" the email says.

Bialek on Tuesday said on CBS' "The Early Show" that she came forward "because I wanted to help [Cain]. I wanted to give him a platform to come clean, to tell the truth."

In an interview with ABC News/Yahoo on Tuesday, Cain said he doesn't remember ever knowing Bialek. "I don't even know who this lady is," he said.

A new Wall Street Journal/ NBC poll shows that the percentage of people with a negative opinion of Cain has risen to from 18 percent in October to 35 percent. Among Republican primary voters, the percentage of those with a negative view of the candidate rose from 6 percent in October to 19 percent.

Still, the percentage of Republican primary voters with a positive view of Cain stayed the same at 52 percent. On top of that, the poll shows Cain is still statistically tied for first place with Mitt Romney among Republican primary voters. The poll was conducted Nov. 2 - Nov. 5; initial reports of harassment charges against Cain broke on October 30.

Romney addressed the charges against Cain for the first time on Tuesday in an interview with ABC News and Yahoo. "These are serious allegations, and they're going to have to be addressed seriously," he said. Referencing Bialek's specific allegations, he added, "This woman's charges are particularly disturbing and they're serious."

Up to this point, Cain's strong favorability ratings stood out as noteworthy when compared to the ratings voters give the rest of the GOP field. But conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats told the Des Moines Register that if Cain doesn't sufficiently address the harassment charges, a "cloud of doubt will envelop his candidacy."

Vander Plaats is president of the Family Leader, an influential Christian conservative organization in Iowa, the first state to hold its presidential nominating contest.

"The Iowa and American voter are fair when humility, sincerity and authenticity are communicated," Vander Plaats said. "This is a tipping point for the viability of his campaign."

[wiseguy1947]

When a woman refuses to have sex with a man, she'll turn into a ***** in an instant in most man's eye. What a screwed-up society we're living in.

[ongelooflijk-2009]

The allegations as put forth, while Mr. Cain was president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, represent what is termed, an abuse of authority. Because the alleged abuse occurred without the presence of witnesses, a finding against Mr. Cain in a court of law would have been unlikely at the time. Because they were 'offered' money and required to sign a non-disclosure agreement does not imply greed on their part but speaks to the seriousness of the allegations themselves.

By default Mr. Cain is accusing each of these women, who he denies even knowing, of lying; the probability of which decreases with each new allegation. The fact that there is more than one, unrelated individual, accusing Mr. Cain of similar behavior is damning in itself. The zeal of those supporting Mr. Cain is admirable, yet the proposal by many, that this issue has been contrived in an effort to smear their candidate simply defies reason.

[ardeinne]

I think it's pretty funny when right-wingers claim it's "the left," or "the mainstream media" or "the Democrats" or a combination of all three pushing this on poor old Herman -- when Herman himself says it's the Perry campaign behind it all.

Especially considering there's actually nothing the Democrats would like better than to have Cain be the nominee. Or Perry himself, for that matter. Or, how about a Perry-Cain ticket? Bliss for the DCC.

Instead, it's looking more and more like Romney -- who may actually be the most dangerous candidate for Obama ....

[rickstas]

So Vermin Cain likes to chase white women.

[pacificwest]

What is most digusting about all of this, is the blatant hypocracy of it all.

We had Anthony Weiner, John Edwards, Kennedy (all of them), Barney Frank, and of course the serial mishandler Bill Clinton, all democrats, in clear sexual harassment and assault situations, and the press was dragged kicking and screaming to report it, and here, one Republican with NO HISTORY of touching or quid pro quo at all being slimed with all of this. This is clear character assassination!

I have know 3 people in my life accused of sexual harassment. one was a scumbag and he got what he deserved, he was fired and had a lawsuit which the woman one. One was an executive who was sued, proven innocent, but his company fired him anyway because of the damaged reputation had stained him and the company was being harrassed in spite of no settlement and no conviction, and the last was a poor guy accused by his wife in a divorce of child molestation and she cleaned him out, only to find out a couple years later that he was innocent and the woman was truly the guilty party.

This kind of character assassination is typical with you guys in the press, and it is beyond disgusting. SHAME ON YOU, DO YOUR JOB AND STOP BEING THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER!

[ongelooflijk-2009]

The allegations as put forth, while Mr. Cain was president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, represent what is termed, an abuse of authority. Because the alleged abuse occurred without the presence of witnesses, a finding against Mr. Cain in a court of law would have been unlikely at the time. Because they were 'offered' money and required to sign a non-disclosure agreement does not imply greed on their part but speaks to the seriousness of the allegations themselves.

By default Mr. Cain is accusing each of these women, who he denies even knowing, of lying; the probability of which decreases with each new allegation. The fact that there is more than one, unrelated individual, accusing Mr. Cain of similar behavior is damning in itself. The zeal of those supporting Mr. Cain is admirable, yet the proposal by many, that this issue has been contrived in an effort to smear their candidate simply defies reason.

[sluggo56]

WHy are you even talking about this ? Do you not get that his guy doesn't even know China has had nukes since the 60's ? You really wanting somebody like that to have the keys to the country ? Get a freakin' grip. What's more important ? That he may have loose morals ? Or that he's a complete idiot, unqualified to be dogcatcher ?

[magicwhiteman]

Obama is unqualified to run a lemonaide stand. Dogcatcher is way above his level of smarts. He is onlt a smart devil when it comes to deciet ,lies, and agitating people. OBAMA is 1/2 black and Cain is 100% black. Cain forgot more about business than Obama will ever know. Cain is the DEMS worst nightmare since they can't bear the thought that Cain would be the FIRST 100% Black President!!!!

[truthhurts666]

Every body who is talking about the financial problem of this woman, Can they also say same thing about the other 4 women, these people are liars, thugs and thieves who are paid by Koch brothers for fooling the population for welfare of 1%.

[aridaenyahoo]

I don't believe her. For one reading the statement, she appeared to be surprised at some of the statements in there herself and she was reading with no emotion. This is not typical of someone that has been attacked at such a personal level. Her whole story was made up and I bet she was paid to accuse Cain. They all probably were because he could represent a significant threat to pres."0".

[anitahna]

When a person run for president everything in his past is looked at, the Republicans or the Democrats' are not responsible for what is in Cain's past. At least two of these woman filed a claim back in the 90's this is not made up by either party. Cain should have known that if he runs for president that every rock will be overturned and it really does not matter by whom. Cain can only blame himself because he will only tell the truth if he believes that other people has proof. It is more scary that Cain running for president did not know Chian had Nuc's sinse 1964 and he want to be president.

[SplitTheMegaHertz]

Go figure! Spartan women attacking as usual. Funny how every time the big dogs out there don't like something they create BS. Wonder how much those Ho's! got paid to be major losers. Plus, who cares even if he did mac on them. They should be like damn thanks for liking me. To be honest those women aren't very good looking anyways. Funny how they are white. Also, would of they reported it if he wasn't running for office. It's pretty obvious it's a run to get ignorant people that run to race (color) like California people to go against him. Most Americans worry about stupid things like celebrities instead of the well being. These ignorant people in this world are in politics we are doomed. They are worried about stupid crap (like silly hoes that pop out of no where). We are in one of the most racist countries and I am starting to believe it's all about color as usual. I have never seen these white politicians go to extreme like this if they were white. They are going full out on Cain butt. Clinton's ******* wasn't this extreme. It's all about money if it's not about color or they use anything to get money. Most women out there are survivalist more then lovers. So, you white hoes are prostituting big time. Great timing to come out makes you hoes look like losers.

[SplitTheMegaHertz]

Let's stay focused on real issues. STOP! diverting Americans to BS. Media loves to push drama and try to get people to focus on things they don't want. NO ONE CARES ABOUT THREE HIGH PRICED HOOKERS! If it wasn't a big deal and they want him to say sorry then why do it now to try to screw his career. Like I said they will do anything to try to F! someone they are hating on. There are HOES! and HATERS everywhere. This country is in a bad time and CBS is reporting on stupid crap that doesn't help us Americans. Is this story going to create some FREAKIN! jobs, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are not rich these stories are not helping you other than creating fueling racism or diverting you to think about stupid crap instead of real things. Three hookers getting famous or attention just to get on TV.

[anitahna]

My God, these reports were made back in the 90's long before Cain thought about running for president. The claim are not made up. As for as who released them, it really does not matter because Cain know he is running for president and any thing in his past will be uncovered. THIS IS JUST THE FACTS! All Cain had to do from the start is let his people know so, they can give an answer when it get'S uncovered. HE IS THE BLAIME. Farthermore, I am more scared of his lack of knowledge, he is running for president and does not know China had Nuc's sinse 1964, this is scary.

[lanele123]

Throughout my career, I have competed against women like this. Women who will do anything for a free ride. And yes, inappropriate remarks and sexual advances were made to me. I considered it a form of flirtatious flattery, which I discreetly declined, and that was the end of it. I do not think it's right to destroy someone's career for a temporary lapse in judgement. Because of all this political correctness crap, you can not even make a joke in the work place for fear of offending someone and putting the company in jeopardy of a frivolous lawsuit. I totally believe Mr Cain, as I have seen first hand how some women behave and take advantage of situations for their own personal gain.