The accusations of sexual harassment at the hands Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain continue, as his fourth accuser publicly spoke on Monday.
Sharon Bialek spoke about an incident she encountered 14 years ago, in which Cain allegedly put his hand up her skirt, and suggested she interact sexually with him in exchange for a job.
Bialek said she worked for the National Restaurant Association, where Cain served as president and CEO. According to her statement, after she had been let go from her job, her boyfriend suggested she speak directly to Cain, to try to get her job back.
She said she met with Cain, in Washington to see the headquarters of the company and discuss getting her job back. When she arrived to the hotel Bialek said she was surprised at her room and insisted it was a mistake. When she met with Cain for dinner and found out that he upgraded her room. “He asked how I liked my room,” said Bialek. She said he then “smirked” and he said, “I upgraded you.”
They went to eat at a restaurant, and when driving back to the hotel, Bialek said Cain, “suddenly reached over and he put his hand on my leg, under my skirt and reached for my genitals.”
She told him, “This is not what I came here for,” to which Cain replied, “You want a job, right?”
Bialek’s attorney, Gloria Allred, who has been involved in several high-profile cases said, “Mr. Cain, while running for president, is actively lying to Americans. Enough is enough. We have to fight back.”
Cain’s spokesman released this statement:
“Just as the country finally begins to refocus on our crippling $15 trillion national debt and the unacceptably high unemployment rate, now activist celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred is bringing forth more false accusations against the character of Republican front-runner Herman Cain.
“All allegations of harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false. Mr. Cain has never harassed anyone. Fortunately the American people will not allow Mr. Cain’s bold “9-9-9 Plan”, clear foreign policy vision and plans for energy independence to be overshadowed by these bogus attacks.”