National Restaurant Association releases statement on Cain allegations

GlobalPost

The National Restaurant Association on Friday released a statement about one of the sexual harassment allegations made against Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain during the 1990s. The statement was issued after the woman's attorney issued his own statement, saying that while his client "stands by" her complaint, she does not wish to come forward at this time.

The attorney, Joel Bennett, said that his client, who worked at the NRA while Cain was its president, had "made a complaint in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances," according to Talking Points Memo

“The complaints were resolved in an agreement with the acceptance of a monetary settlement," Bennett said. "She and her husband see no value in revisiting this matter now, nor in discussing the matter any further, publicly or privately. In fact it would be extremely painful to do so."

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In its separate statement, the NRA said it had seen the statement made by Bennett, and had consented to its release. As part of her settlement with the organization back in 1999, the woman also agreed to a confidentiality agreement, which the NRA said it is now willing to waive.

“Based upon the information currently available, we can confirm that more than a decade ago, in July 1999, Mr. Bennett’s client filed a formal internal complaint, in accordance with the Association’s existing policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment," the NRA said, according to National Journal. "Mr. Herman Cain disputed the allegations in the complaint. The Association and Mr. Bennett’s client subsequently entered into an agreement to resolve the matter, without any admission of liability. Mr. Cain was not a party to that agreement."

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