mr. bennett is coming out. he is coming to camera so stand by. here he comes. >> brian is joining us on the often. as soon as we see joel bennett come to that camera, we're going to hear what he has to say. gloria borger is standing by as well. he's passing out a written statement. >> are you all ready? okay, thank you. thank you all for your patience. in 1999 i was retained by a female employee of the national restaurant association concerning several instances of sexual harassment by the then ceo. she made a complaint in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances from the ceo. those complaints were resolved in an agreement with her acceptance of a monetary settlement. 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. she is grateful this she was able to return to her government career where she is extremely happy serving the american people to the very best of her ability. she looks forward

mr. bennett. one of the source of contention from mr. cain saying she signed a severance agreement, terminated employment, in his view, that agreement had little or nothing to do with sexual harassment. mr. bennett begs to differ. >> a severance agreement is when someone's leaving employment and there's an agreement to pay the person a certain number of months of salary for whatever reason. it could be just because the person is leaving that's very common in companies that are having economic problems that have severance policies, unrelated to any misconduct or performance issues. this was a settlement of an internal complaint of sexual harassment. it was not a severance agreement. >> a clear difference of opinion, mr. bennett, jeffrey, wanted to make that point. does it matter? >> i don't think any of this matters much at all. i think today was a very good day for herman cain. i think these announcements amount to very little. and in a way are unfair to herman cain. how is he supposed to defend himself? there are still no specifics. sti

mr. bennett, it's gloria borger here. you've spoken with your client. does she believe mr. cain is not telling the truth? >> yes. >> can you elaborate? >> how so? >> first of all -- because there were two women who filed complaints at this time and it's unclear which one he is speaking about all the time, but to the extent he's made statements that he never sexual harassed anyone and there was no validity to these complaints, that's certainly not true with respect to my client's complaints. >> did you -- i'm sorry. did you represent both women? >> i only represented one woman. >> and -- >> not both. >> mr. bennett -- go ahead, jeff. go ahead, jeff. >> does she have any corroborating evidence? does she have e-mails, photographs, notes, anything other than her word about what mr. cain did to her or she accused him of doing? >> i have no recollection 12 years later of what the proof was. in these situations, usually it's a one on one situation. but i'm not certain what the circumstances were at this time without going back and talking to my client again. >> mr. bennett, have y

mr. bennett, has your client ever made other allegations against other employers? >> not to my knowledge. >> so did your client contact you because she'd been watching mr. cain and he got her upset? >> i believe she contacted me when the politico story first broke. >> so she -- so you're saying she wasn't contacted directly by politico or she -- >> i don't know how that happened. my understanding is a present or former board member of the national restaurant association leaked the story to politico. >> a member of -- >> i'm sorry. you said -- you said that's your understanding. how do you have that understanding? where did you hear that? >> i don't recall how i heard that but that's my understanding of how the story originally got on politico. >> was it in any sense from your point of view a smear effort against him? >> i'm not in the position to judge that as i've stated previously. my client's allegations were made in good faith-based upon actual events. >> mr. bennett -- >> does your client have any political affiliation? is she part of the obama administration?

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? >> not at this time. my client is planning to come forward. we plan to contact the other women and have a joint press conference where the women will air their specific complaints. >> you are planning to contact the other women and hold a joint press conference with your client to lay out in some kind of joint way the accusations against herman cain? >> that is correct. >> now, can you tell me whether or not what your client said

mr. bennett to contact the association's outside counsel. mr. at 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, thank you very much

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 do you think it fits in the story as we currently kno

mr. bennett that we are willing to waive the confidentiality of this matter and permit mr. 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 d

mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. ll 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 team also foun

mr. 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 c

mr. bennett has not been in contact with the association. if we are contacted by mr. e. >>> 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.s. lost its top credit rating. what are

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." 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 su

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 ] our nation's veterans are real-life heroes. but when they come home, they don't want a parade; they

mr. 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.

bennett there. would you like to see that, mr. cain have to testify under oath now? do you think it's that serious? >> as a presidential candidate, i don't know that there's any forum for doing that, unlike the clarence thomas confirmation hearings, but i was happy to say i hear ms. allred say she'd like to get a giant statement and eye like to work with her on that. years ago, but we can look at the polls and reuters has a poll out after sharon bialek's statement yesterday and he's now behind mitt romney. falling nine points since last week. and 39% in this reuters poll said the he'd be willing to tak lie detector test. you were speaking with gloria allred and she demanded that he go up to capitol hill to testify under oath. i don't think that's going to happen, but herman cain has invited more of these questions and inquiry. >> let me bring back gloria borger then. politically, where is herman cain now? his poll ratings are sudden sliding. he looks in big trouble. >> he is in big trouble. i don't think the press conference today put the questions to rest. what you'

bennett there. would you like to see that, mr. cain have to testify under oath now? do you think it's that serious? >> as a presidential candidate, i don't know that there's any forum for doing that, unlike the clarence thomas confirmation hearings, but i was happy to say i hear ms. allred say she'd like to get a giant statement and eye like to work with her on that. >> amy, you've heard the various lawyers here. you've also seen now two of the women who have come forward of the four who made allegations. what is your overview of all this? can herman cain survive? >> well, i certainly can't speak to the credibility of his accusers and what happened 14 years ago, but we can look at the polls and reuters has a poll out after sharon bialek's statement yesterday and he's now behind mitt romney. falling nine points since last week. and 39% in this reuters poll said they believed those allegations yesterday. clearly the cain campaign feels that this is hurting his efforts because they had that press conference today to try to address these claims. whether or not they were

mr. bennett.rd 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 this particular

mr. bennett representing one of the women and they have been asked to provide a response for proposed statementreviewing 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 thursday, the ma know who killed her father turned himself no n to police. she was sleeping at bus stations and said i'm the guy who did it and i'm willing to face t

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. ou 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 screech ]

mr. bennett says there is no doubt yet but it will be at least a couple of the women appearing. >> my clientnd 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 performances and tonight he will be center of the attention as others try to take him down. in addition there

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