bennett's client to comment. as indicated in mr. bennett's statement, his client prefers not to be further involved with this matter and we will respect her decision. the association has robust policies designed to ensure that employees with concerns may bring them forward for prompt investigation and resolution without risk of retaliation. the association is fully committed to equal employment opportunity and to an environment that is free from any discrimination or harassment. that statement from dawn sweeney, the president and ceo of the national restaurant association. our brian todd is there at joel bennett's office outside. gloria borger, who has been reporting on the story is here as well. let's go to brian first. we heard the statement, brian, that joel bennett made, a very carefully crafted statement. you've just heard me read the reaction from the national restaurant association saying they were okay with this woman waiving her confidentiality agreement conditions, but she has decided she and her husband of 26 years, they

and we're not hearing that from mr. bennett. his client or any of the other alleged accusers here, of course not hearing that from mr. cain's side. what we did get in a little bit of detail some response to this from the national restaurant association. part of a statement they issued read, in july 1999 mr. ben net's client filed a clants associati the policies. herman cain disputed the complaints. the soev yassociation entered i agreement without admission of liable. mr. cain was not a party to the agreement. herman cain this week strongly disputing these allegations against him, john. >> brian that is the one client, mr. bennett represents. you're learning new information about a second woman who suggests mr. cain behaved inappropriately. what can you tell us. >> reporter: that's right. we spoke to a former employee of the national restaurant association who knows the accuser. the second accuser, not mr. bennett's client, a second accuser, came to the employee's office on the day this accuser left the national restaurant assoc

. >> mr. bennett, this is david gergen. "the washington post" and "the new york times," they say they that she wants an opportunity to have her side told and you just said she's still mulling and not sure what she is mulling. >> naturally, she's been very upset about this since the story broke last sunday because mr. cain has been giving the impression she came out and made false allegations. that's certainly not true and she's still deciding, once we hear from the restaurant association, what she'll do if they'll waive the confidentiality. until they do that, she's not going to speak out. >> was she released? did she leave the national restaurant association because she made the allegations? was the separation based on this or did they accuse her or say she was not a good employee for other grounds? what was the basis on which she left? >> to the best of my recollection, there were no complaints about her performance. she was ready to move on to another position in light of the way she had been treated by mr. cain, with th

. >> mr. bennett, this is david. they say they that she wants an opportunity to have her side told and you just said she's still mulling and not sure what she is mulling. >> naturally, she's been very upset about this since the story broke last sunday because mr. cain has been giving the impression she came out and made false allegations that's certainly not true and she's still deciding once we hear from the restaurant association what she'll do if they'll waive the confidentiality. until they do that, she's not going to speak out. >> was she released? did she leave the national restaurant association because she made the allegations? was the separation based on this or did they accuse her or say she was not a good employee for other grounds? what was the basis on which she left? >> to the best of my recollection, there were no complaints about her performance. she was ready to move on to another position in light of the way she had been treated by mr. cain. with the confidentiality settlement agreement. >> mr. benn

up until now, mr. bennett's client has remained anonymous. but in an interview published within the past hour, she has been publicly identified as karen kraushaar, a 55-year-old woman who works at the treasury department. now, she was accuser "a," who worked in the communications department of the restaurant association. she filed her complaint in 1999 and reportedly received $45,000 settlement. mr. bennett, thank you for being with me tonight. we'll talk about your client in a moment. but, first, herman cain said about these accusations "they simply did not happen." what is your reaction to mr. cain saying that what has been reported about your client just didn't happen? >> my client filed a detailed, written complaint in 1999, specifying multiple incidents of sexual harassment over multiple days. the incidents happened and my client stands by the written complaint that she filed. >> mr. bennett, can you -- are you at liberty to tell us the nature of these sexual harassment series of sexual harassment complaints what they are comprised of? >

bennett to contact the association's outside counsel. mr. bennett indicated that he would do so tomorrow after he met with his climb." so i -- his client." it is clear that mr. ben set planning to meet with this woman and speak with outside counsel at the restaurant association this leads to the question of will they release her from her confidentiality agreement so she can tell her side of the story, which is clearly what she wants to do? >> and i know, gloria, i was watching you on anderson cooper 360 last night and you were, along with many, anderson and others, grilling this concern for this one accuser. >> right. >> what is he telling you? he does think that sexual harassment took place. >> yes, he does. and he says that a settlement occurred not because of severance but because of this woman's harassment claim and it was settled as a result of her sexual harassment claim. so, he and his client clearly believe that there was harassment and that is why she ended up leaving the organization and getting some money for it. >> gloria borger,

thanks for joining me tonight, mr. bennett. >> you're welcome, lawrence. >> mr. bennett, have you had any contact with sharon bialek? >> i had contact with a woman named sharon in chicago the last five days. i don't know if it's the same sharon because i never got her last name. the sharon i had contact with left a voicemail in my office one night indicating she had been harassed by herman cain while he was with the national restaurant association. when i called her back the next day, she said she had decided not to pursue it further. i then called her again yesterday to advise her that she could give her information confidentially if she wanted to. she said she'd think about it and let me know. i have not heard from her since then. it may be the same woman who spoke out today. >> so you did have conversations with her on the phone only with the first name sharon and you heard her voice in this press conference today. does it sound like the same person? >> i really couldn't tell, lawrence. i'm sorry. >> okay. what do you think what miss bialek revealed today, how

bennett's client to comment. as indicated in mr. ben net's statement his client does not want to be further involved in this matter and we will respect her decision. the request was made by the woman to allow her attorney to speak. >> shepard: heard from herman cain today too but that was before this statement came out before the accuser. >> speaking before a conservative group here in ught with a. herman cain suggested a lot of this attention comes as part of the success of his campaign. here is the one reference he made to the controversy. >> i have been in washington all week. [ laughter ] >> and i have attracted a little bit of attention. you know, that's kind of what happens when you start to show up near or at the top of the polls. it just happens that way. >> now, mr. cain is hoping to get back to talking about what he he would like to do for the country as president. shep? >> shepard: that was at the coke brothers conference where he was speaking. i guess he brought the house down, to the coke brothers the conservative broth

"mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. bennett, we will respond as appropriate." >>> number two, bank of america officially backing off its plan to charge a $5 monthly fee for debit card use. we've been "outfront" on this story since the first week of our show, calling out the banks for punishing customers for these kind of fees. they are listening. bank of america's decision comes after a handful of national banks abandoned similar fees. >>> number three, power slowly coming back to parts of the northeast hit hard by the weekend's snowstorm. connecticut light and power told "outfront" 100,000 customers have gained power in the past 24 hours. but there are still more than 650,000 customers without power, someone in each of the state's 149 towns. in massachusetts there are 3 00,000 outages 200,000 in new jersey. >>> the number of deaths from painkillers has spiked in recent years. the cnn medical team looked over a cdc report for "outfront." 15,000 people died from painkillers in 2008, triple the number in 1999. the medical

bennett to contact the association's outside counsel. mr. bennett indicated he would do so tomorrow after he met with his client. so why is this so important? because according to this attorney, cain is not telling the truth and his client wants to tell her story, but in order for that to happen, both sides here have to agree to waive that confidentiality. so now we know that both sides are talking, so perhaps this time tomorrow, we should know a lot more about whether we're going to hear this woman's story, so stay tuned for that. situation room mere minutes away. wolf blitzer joins me from chicago and you have even more on herman cain today. >> we're going to be obviously going in depth and taking a closer look. once these stories start, no idea where they're going to wind up. we know that there's high interest in a story like this. not only to journalists, community, but political community. not only democrats, but republicans. people want to know what's going on and it puts enormous amount of pressure on the candidate in this particular

mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. bennett, we will respond as appropriate. >>> number two, bank of america officially backing off its plan to charge a $5 monthly fee for debit card use. we've been outfront on this story since the first week of our show. calling out the banks for punishing customers for these kind of fees. they are lynistening. number three, power slowly coming back to parts of the northeast hit hard by the weekend's snowstorm. connecticut light and power told "outfront" 100,000 customers have gained power in the past 24 hours. but there are still more than 650,000 customers without power. someone in each of the state's 149 towns. >>> the number of deaths from painkillers has spiked in recent years. the cnn medical team looked over the report for "outfront." 15,000 people died from painkillers in 2008, triple the number in 1999. the medical team also found doctors prescribed enough painkillers last year to give every american adult a pill every four hours for a month. >>> it's been 88 days since the u.

his campaign today issued a single sentence reaction to mr. bennett. we look forward to focusing our attention on the real issues like fixing the broken economy and putting americans back to work through the 9-9-9 plan as well as strengthening national security. clearly they want to move on. joining us now chief political analyst gloria borger and jeffrey tubin. you said previously you thought herman cain's accuser would speak out or the details would come out. >> i think i was wrong. that's -- i just think this is over. i think at least as far as this woman is concerned understandably she doesn't want to get involved in a circus or make herself a target which she would be if she got specific. but in fairness to herman cain if that's all she is going to say through her lawyer, i don't think he's obligated to respond. there are no specifics. there's no name. i just think that is not a concrete enough accusation to force him to continue this story any further. >> gloria, do you agree this is done? >> yeah. well, it depends if more comes out. i think at t

"mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. bennett, we will respond as appropriate." >>> number two, bank of america officially backing off its plan to charge a $5 monthly fee for debit card use. we've been "outfront" on this story since the first week of our show, calling out the banks for punishing customers for these kind of fees. they are listening. bank of america's decision comes after a handful of national banks abandoned similar fees. >>> number three, power slowly coming back to parts of the northeast hit hard by the weekend's snowstorm. connecticut light and power told "outfront" 100,000 customers have gained power in the past 24 hours. but there are still more than 650,000 customers without power, someone in each of the state's 149 towns. in massachusetts there are 3 00,000 outages 200,000 in new jersey. >>> the number of deaths from painkillers has spiked in recent years. the cnn medical team looked over a cdc report for "outfront." 15,000 people died from painkillers in 2008, triple the number in 1999. the medical

mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. bennett, we will respond as appropriate." those wheels all in motion. mr. bennett meets with his client, this woman, who says she was sexually harassed by herman cain. he says this woman has been very, very upset since the story blew up in the media and since herman cain has come up with these firm denials. she wants to speak out. we'll see if that other shoe drops probably very soon, kyra. >> in addition, cain is coming forward and dismissing these claims as a political smear campaign. he said it again this morning, but he's also saying that race may be to blame. >> that's right. he has, he has kind of, well, he was asked about that by fox news and while we should just play that exchange. take a listen. >> do you think that race and being a strong, black conservative has anything to do with the fact that you've been so charged? if so, do you have any evidence to support that? >> i believe the answer is yes. but we do not have any evidence to support it. >> and some of herman cain's s

we do know that mr. bennett said that his client had similar allegations to the ones that were made public this week. >> all right. thank you so much for joining us. we will see what the next move is in this situation. thank you. >> thanks for having me. >>> we're following breaking news. the dow has now dropped nearly 400 points. you see it there, down 375 points. we'll get an update. ment? plus defense secretary's, the shocking allegations were revealed yesterday. we've got latest. >>> plus, what caused tea party congressman joe walsh to have a screaming fit in a bar? >> what created this mess is your government -- >> we'll have more on this tirade and details on what set him off. plus, could it be true? researcher say they've discovered a new drug that will help you lose weight, get this, yes, i know you've heard it before, without dieting or exercising. we'll take closer look. people are excited about it. a couple of you have said that medicine is probably not real. we'll find out. [ male announcer ]

bennett and did not say who the organization will wave this confidentialt clause. laura? >> thank you. >>> it's up to a jury to decide. the corruption trial against u leaseee curry wrapped up -- ulysses curry wrapped up today and closing arguments were heated at times. john henrehan has more. >> reporter: federal prosecutor called the senator not from prince georges but the senator from shoppers. meaning the senators from shoppers food war house. they hinted at a federal conspiracy to bring down a popular maryland pop tishian. maryland state -- politician. >> reporter: maryland state senator curry showed a somber demeanor each day as he arrived in the federal courthouse in baltimore. he's been in the state legislature since 1986. and if convicted, the 74-year- old could conceivably spend the rest of his life in prison. curry and two former executives are on trial for extortion, bribery, and conspiracy. the state's case, curry never listed the supermarket chain as an employer on required disclosure forms while he helped the company with real estate zoning, and legislation.

mr. bennett, let's get to the bottom of this because your client has now come out in public. why? >> she's come out in public because her name was revealed by the media, and she's decided, since her name is in the media now, that she wants to get the details of her complaint out since mr. cain is still denying any sexual harassment or impropriety. >> herman cain says about your client that the only thing he can recall in terms of any complaint made was telling her that he was the same -- that she was the same size as his wife. is that accurate? is that the full extent of the alleged harassment? >> it certainly is not. my client is a very intelligent, well educated woman. she would never file a complaint about an innocent remark like that. my client is 5'2". she's not the same height as mr. cain's wife. and the incidents that were reported to the national restaurant association were multiple, over multiple days. >> i suppose the obvious question -- and i put this to sharon bialek last night, another accuser -- is that given the passage of time, being over a decade, how is anyone go

mr. bennett, let's get to the bottom of this because your client has now come out in public. why? >> she's come out in public because her name was revealed by the media, and she's decided, since her name is in the media now, that she wants to get the details of her complaint out since mr. cain is still denying any sexual harassment or impropriety. >> herman cain says about your client that the only thing he can recall in terms of any complaint made was telling her that he was the same -- that she was the same size as his wife. is that accurate? is that the full extent of the alleged harassment? >> it certainly is not. >> herman cain says about your client that the only thing he can recall in terms of any complaint made was telling her that he was the same -- that she was the same size as his wife. is that accurate? is that the full extent of the alleged harassment? >> it certainly is not. my client is a very intelligent, well educated woman. she would never file a complaint about an innocent remark like that. my client is 5'2". she's not the same height as mr. cain's wife. and the

his campaign today issued a single sentence reaction to mr. bennett. we look forward to focusing our attention on the real issues like fixing the broken economy and putting americans back to work through the 9-9-9 plan as well as strengthening national security. clearly they want to move on. joining us now chief political analyst gloria borger and jeffrey tubin. you said previously you thought herman cain's accuser would speak out or the details would come out. >> i think i was wrong. that's -- i just think this is over. i think at least as far as this woman is concerned understandably she doesn't want to get involved in a circus or make herself a target which she would be if she got specific. but in fairness to herman cain if that's all she is going to say through her lawyer, i don't think he's obligated to respond. there are no specifics. there's no name. i just think that is not a concrete enough accusation to force him to continue this story any further. >> gloria, do you agree this is done? >> yeah. well, it depends if more comes out. i think at t

the national restaurant association said they are outside council was contacted by mr. bennett representing one of the women and they have been asked to provide a response for proposed statement by tomorrow. in their statement they said we are reviewing the document and plan to respond tomorrow. in effect the attorney representing this woman wants to release a statement and said herman cain put out his side of the story and his client deserves an opportunity for her side to be heard. she signed an agreement and now tomorrow we could hear their decision on what she might be able to say publicly regarding the allegations. an update on the case of a glee star whose father was murdered and new details are revealed about the next james bond movie. a bride and her dad get down on the dance floor and make you feel good today. i will let you run through it. >> she rose up through you tube and she found out tuesday her estranged father had been killed in her native town in the philippines. this story will generate a lot of interest on the internet. a follow-up to that on thursda

if we are contacted by mr. bennett we will respond as appropriate. he says he will contact the general council on wednesday and formally request this. >> thanks forts update. >> absolutely. >> that's wlaw here for. >> that's what i am here for. not to be funny or interesting in anyway. nope. >> burning up the minutes here. >> if you said a woman is releaseed from a nondisclosure agreement she may have to pay back the money. right? >> i think greg may have said that it may cost her money. and if she -- go ahead. >> couldn't the nra, cain and the women all get together and decide we are going to release everyone, and then no one will have to give back any money? >> sure, they could release her from the provision. if she violates a provision from that agreement she will no doubt be food for some in that agreement. she can't talk unless they allow her to or if she buys the right to do that. >> okay. all right. >> graham, i totally get that after what happened to you you are suspicious of the legitimacy of claims of sexual harassment. and it may be that c

mr. bennett's client says repeated sexual harassment. when you heard sharon bialek, that's an unwanted sexual advance. that legally be sexual harassment? >> it is hard to know. there is the issue of mr. miss bialek as i understand it, was not still an employee of the restaurant association when it happened. so there are all sorts of legal issues that if this were to be a case, which it is clearly not. she has no interest in filing limitation has long run, i think you are talking semantics here. the issue is did herman cain do something that's really appalling. i think if you believe her, if you believe ms. bialek, the answer is yes. if you believe herman cain, the answer is no. >> appreciate your insight tonight. when we come back, jeff noted that the political arena, the political impact on the man who is the surprise of the gop race including some brand new poll numbers just outside suggesting these allegations are beginning to take a toll. [ indistinct talking on radio ] [ tires screech ] [ crying ] [ applause ] [ laughs ] [ tires scr

mr. bennett says there is no doubt yet but it will be at least a couple of the women appearing. >> my client and i believe it is helpful to the public in judging this matter to see as many of the women as possible together and hear the specifics. we have heard the specifics of miss bialek. >>carl: the woman, sharon bialek, her identity revealed signaled with her attorney gloria allred they likely to participate in the news conference if one comes together. this is probably going to come up in some fashion tonight. many candidates, of his rivals suggested this is a serious issue to be taken with great gravity but they have not been eager to talk about it. but tonight it is hard to imagine it will not come up. >>shepard: and the rest of the field? what should we expect? >>carl: well, for romney the latest poll now says 42 percent of republicans believe that romney ultimately will be the republican nominee. that is more than every other republican candidate combined. he had strong debate per

>> would you have to ask mr. bennett who called him. >> mr. ben whoet called who? >> no, i'm saying, if he is saying that someone left a voice mail for him, then he would be the one to identify the person. >> he seems to say that, yes the woman you represent originally left a voice mail for him. >> yeah, i can't comment on who she may have left voice mails with and whether if she left a voice mail for mr. bennett. >> now can -- >> i just can't comment on that. >> contemporaneously, she says she informed two friends, her boyfriend and another friend, about what happen pepd they signed document now. >> yes she did. >> saying what she said is true. are you releasing those dong snmts. >> no, i'm not. i did read the contents of the two affidavits, which were signed under penalty of perjury. and which i have in my possession. i did read that to some members of the press after the news conference. i did not disclose the name. one is a physician. the other is a businessman. they both independently of each other, sent us declarations which we asked for, to corroborate that