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Sharon Bialek, the first woman to publicly accuse Herman Cain of sexual misconduct, today acknowledged she has experienced financial and legal difficulties in recent years, but said they were “absolutely not” related to her decision to come forward and detail her encounter with Cain in a car outside a Washington hotel fourteen years ago.
But Cain’s campaign signaled today they will seek to undermine Bialek’s credibility by highlighting her legal troubles and the Democratic Party ties of her lawyer, Gloria Allred. An NBC News review of court records show that Bialek’s legal problems include two personal bankruptcies, an Internal Revenue Service tax lien, and a civil judgment against her last year for an unpaid loan that is still outstanding.
“Absolutely not,” Bialek said when asked by NBC News Today show co-anchor Ann Curry whether her financial problems caused her to come forward and make accusations against Cain in hopes of making money. “There’s no skeletons in my closet. I told her [her lawyer Gloria Allred] 'this may come up.' I expected this may come up. It's not about me. I’m not running for president.”
Bialek, a single mother with a 13-year-old son, also denied that anybody from any rival campaign encouraged her to speak out against Cain in an effort to damage his candidacy. “I came forward of my own volition,” she said. In a separate interview on CNN, she said her son did encourage her to speak out. “You need to tell on him,” she quoted her son as saying.
Bialek’s comments came just hours after Cain flatly denied her graphic account that he sexually groped her and sought to have oral sex when the two met in Washington in 1997, telling TV host Jimmy Kimmel her story was “totally fabricated.” In a statement e-mailed to reporters, Cain spokesman JD Gordon described Allred, Bialek's lawyer, as a "high profile Democratic Party donor and activist." He added: "After attacking Herman Cain through anonymous accusers for a week, his opponents have now convinced a woman with a long history of severe financial difficulties, including personal bankruptcy, to falsely accuse the Republican frontrunner of events allegedly occurring well over a decade ago for which there is no record, nor even a complaint filed." (In a press release late Tuesday morning entitled "Who is Sharon Bialek?" the campaign gave the case numbers for six civil lawsuits in which Bialek was sued as well as her two bankruptcies. It also cited a press report indicating that she has worked for nine employers over the last seventeen years).
Cain has scheduled a press conference to rebut Bialek’s claims on Tuesday, signaling that the controversy over sexual harassment allegations -- which Cain’s campaign had hoped to put to rest last week -- is unlikely to end anytime soon.
The dueling accounts underscore the difficulties in sorting through politically charged sexual harassment allegations in which partisans on both sides seek to impugn the character of the principals with whatever evidence they can find.
Bialek dramatically raised the stakes for Cain on Monday by becoming the first woman to publicly speak out. News reports last week identified three other unidentified women at the National Restaurant Association who had made unspecified sexual allegations against Cain, two of whom received financial settlements with no findings of liability. Bialek detailed an encounter that she says took place in 1997 after she was let go from her job after six months as a National Restaurant Association foundation fundraiser. Seeking Cain’s help in finding new employment or getting her job back, she described how Cain -- then the president of the National Restaurant Association -- booked her a Washington hotel suite and took her out to dinner. While the two were alone in the car, Bialek says Cain put his hand up her skirt and then sought to have oral sex, telling her, “You want a job, right?”
Allred, who frequently represents accusers in celebrity cases, told reporters on Monday that she had sworn affidavits from two others -- one from a doctor who was Bialek’s boyfriend at the time and the other from a businessman -- who affirm that Bialek told them about an encounter with Cain shortly after it took place. But Allred has declined to release their names -- making it impossible at this point to verify her account-- and Bialek acknowledged Monday that she did not share details with them of what Cain had allegedly done in the car.
Bialek also did not describe her encounter with Cain to her current boyfriend, Mark Harwood, with whom she lives in suburban Chicago. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Harwood was quoted as saying he was in “a bit of shock” when Bialek first told her about her experience with Cain last Friday night, but that he admired her decision to come forward.
“Its not an anti-political thing,” Harwood said. “It’s not a money thing. She’s just trying to do the right thing and that takes guts.”
Court records show that Bialek filed for bankruptcy in 1991 and 2001. She was also involved in protracted domestic relations litigation starting in 1999 with a marketing executive at News America Marketing, a division of News Corp., over questions of paternity and child support for her now 13 year old son. Court records show that the marketing executive was ordered to pay child support that in 2010 was $66,700 a year.
More recently, the records show, the IRS filed a tax lien of nearly $5,200 against Bialek in 2009. (According to the Chicago Tribune account, the Illinois Department of Revenue has also claimed Bialek owed the state $4,300 in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.) Last year, an Illinois lending company filed a lawsuit against Bialek for an upaid ($3,539) loan and won a judgment against her of $3,539. The lawyer for the lender, Illinois Lending Corp., told NBC it was a standard “breach of contract” lawsuit and that the judgment is still outstanding.
Allred told reporters that Bialek has not had a job in about two years. Harwood, her boyfriend, told the Trbuine that the couple met online and moved in four years ago, getting engaged during a vacation in Venice last year.
“Sharon is very much one of these women with a huge heart and always trying to do the right thing,” he said. “Sometimes, I have to pull the reins in.”
Susan Bialek, the fourth woman to come forward and accuse GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain of sexual harassment, tells TODAY's Ann Curry why she waited 14 years to come forward and says her decision to do so was not financially motivated.
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Cain didnt have a chance at the presidency if he had a record as clean as mother teresa....Jesse jackson has a better chance at being president
I do have some questions, such as: 1. Would most people go searching out the head of the restaurant association to ask for a job? Or, as they wrote, to ask for her job back? Sounds like she got fired. What was her job? Why didn't she just go through HR like most people? Why would she do that? And in a private car, no less! Hmmm. I'd like to hear her explanation for that.
2. Why didn't she file a complaint at the time? Why wait all this time?
preach oldnurse...preach
freedomnow1...were you out of the country during Clinton or did you just miss that the Repubs several times sent legislation to his desk to finally get him on board with "the era of big government is over". Yes, good times returned, balanced budgets by Repub control houses, welfare was reduced [but not changed forever]...and there was a down turn the last quarters of his second year leaving an embatterred economy ...I remember, voted for him but revisionist history does not change facts...it was not Bill voluntarily acting but was forced efforts by Congress. If this President would get the Senate to act on 15 job bills now languishing, you might be able to later say, Obama pulled us out. Americans want improvement in jobs and he has it in front of him to get it started, all he has to do is work more for America, less for re-election.
And please folks and Debbie M, America is about innocent till proven guilty and unless you are judge and jury, allow time for the facts. You wouldn't fall for not checking out the facts or the experience or the credentials of any Presidential candidate, would you?.... and you would call for and wait for a thorough vetting by the main stream media before deciding on who to vote...right?
Pricilla,
Again, this is turning into a popularity contest. Same old story, tired of the GOP Establishment. Actually, I am not crazy either about the GOP Establishment but lets focus on what is important here. Our country in deep trouble. Are we going to dismiss Romeny, who seems to be the only qualified candidate besides Newt Gingrich with the business success and experience to put our country back on track? Because he appears not to be "authentic" enough to people? Will a person who is down to earth, likeable with no political experience be more qualified to run in this fragile environment? Like I said before in previous posts about Cain, this scandal will not be his downfall (Our society grown to to be immune to scandals like this, example, Bill Clinton) Cain's lack of experience will be his downfall. Look at how Obama turned out, likeabe but destructive for this country.
Uhhhhh,,,,,Romney's business experience was more in the line of putting people OUT of work than back to work, Newt? He makes Cain seem like a choirboy when it comes to cheating on his wife(s) and that is WELL documented, LOL Maybe not the best of what Republicans have to offer? I'd give Huntsman a second look, But in the end Obama has a lock on re-election after accomplishing 80% of his campaign promises while beating his head agains a stone wall of Republican opposition, As of right now Obama is actually on track to have a balanced budget and ending both wars when the taxcuts run out again, How can that be beaten after the mess he walked in to?
"Sharon Bialek, the first woman"... "Susan Bialek, the fourth woman"...
OK, I am totally confused. Is this one in the same woman, or two different women with the same last name.
'“You need to tell on him,” she quoted her son as saying.' What kind of a woman is going to tell her young son about a sexual encounter, but not her boyfriend, although supposedly they did not have all the details? That is really sick.
I hate it when I read an article and come out with less information after reading it than I had before I read it.
The way I see it, there is probable cause. Sexual assualt is a crime. Cain should be incarcerated.
Lets put them all in jail !
Just hope one of these whores doesn't target you !
There is absolutely no evidence of this account !
Who really cares about this woman and her accusation whether true of not (although it seems likely true)Considering there are others with documented filed accusations from 15 years ago and hush money verified by the NRA itself. (LONG before anyone thought Cain would be running for the Presidential nomination)
The controversy over sexual harassment allegations is Hog
wash!
After "THEY" figured that Cain is a contender, up
pops these allegations. What about the war, unemployment, and all the other
things that has America going down the tubes?
At least Cain has a plan. Flawed
as it may be, at least is more than the other JackA$$es have that are running
for office.
Our government is a joke
All of a sudden popped up? The first 2 accusations were reported and filed 15 years ago and the NRA themselves verified the payment of hush money to both women
If you didn't believe in him, why would you support him? In other words, it's more important to prove (or shout) your 'rightness' than to actually BE right.
Two things: Bill Clinton's errant behavior gets brought up a lot by conservatives, as it should. So, how is it that, if Clinton didn't deserve a break, Cain deserves one?
Second, Cain and his campaign group (assuming he really has one) had 10 days to prepare a response - any response - to the Politico story, yet couldn't keep its facts straight from day to day. Now, this comes up and just look at all the dirt they have ready and waiting to heap on this woman. Deserved or not, it is obvious that, after the first allegations came out, Cain suddenly 'remembered' that something would likely arise (and not what he wanted to arise) regarding Ms. Bialek.
parkpapa....Clinton got his big break when he committed perjury and was not removed from office. Clinton had months and years to prepare with his background of experiences....I only ask that Cain does not ask 'what is...is'. Nor call for a national news meeting to declare, "I did not have sex with that woman". Let us hope no matter if true or not, he will be more...'original'.
maybe because Caine is stupid
Funny about these two people she confided in. Interesting how this accuser told these two men about something happening with Herman Cain but did not tell them the details of her encounter. Maybe because she was just making it up before the press conference?
Alice please come back from wonderland.
I don't care how many allegations have been lodged against him. He's a screwball with no chance to be president. Hopefully, now that he's had his fifteen minutes in the limelight, He'll slink away into obscurity.
R Bell: With no facts you suggest Cain slink away. Fifteen minutes of fame? Show me your resume sir. Screwball? He has ideas some good some need debate. But, a screwball? You belittle your self with your own comments.
Jim, What good ideas does he bring to the table? Name one. It's my sincere belief that he's only running to increase his bottom line and to message his massive ego.
qqqqq
Herman Cain is a serial groper. That is just the way it is. His frantic attempts to discredit Sharon Bialek because she owes money and doesn't have a job show how desperate he is. As she pointed out, this is not about her. It is about him. She is not running for president. He is. For those of you who still think he is a great guy and should be president I would like to remind you that what you see is what you get. Four women. $35,000 plus $45,000 plus another who is to scared to come forward. Herman Cain makes Tricky Dicky Nixon look like a choir boy.
AND Clinton was a clean as the wind driven snow.
Cain has no choice than to try and discredit this woman. But while he's doing that, another woman is coming forward. Before it is all over, I wouldn't be surprised that he gets sued by a bunch of women that he has harassed in his past. He's a pig and we all know it but the Republican Party. The National Corporate Republican Party is giving us all the biggest three ring circus event of the decade. Maybe Sarah will walk the high wire and Bachman could be a clown.
She's filed SIX civil lawsuits! I've never filed ONE, nor do I know anyone personally who has. My opinion of someone who has filed SIX would be that they are trolling for dollars. The more we learn about this so-called accuser, the worse it all smells. But of course those who are in charge of trotting her out know this. It's doesn't matter if she's telling the truth or not. All that really matters is the accusation (even if false) does damage, and that is what they want.
If I were Cain, I would change to being a Democrat. Sex in the oval office, lying, and even perjury have been overlooked. One issue is very plain...Cain shows total inexperience on sex issues by his picking to be a Cons. Repub... this was a big big error on his part. Had he chosen to be a liberal, he would be making headway on economic issues and not worrying about sex allegations.
Has anyone actually listened to her account? When the supposed event occurred she says she told him to stop, which she says he did, and then he took her back to her hotel. So he respected her wishes. So her story is of him making a failed pass at her. Boorish behavior, maybe if it really happened, but where is the harassment?
bla bla bla bla bla
Brilliant!
Yeap
Who is paying Sharon Bialek's expenses travel and living expenses for this show?
I am why?
Has anybody ever thought that the leak that Caine has pointing to Perry came from his own campaign staff is that why he backed off. Attack the women when a low life tries to grop her. they are both adults just one was consinting. The problem is in this country when you have a little Media and some money you can do anything to any one. Why would you attack this women when caine has money she doesn't so she is the bad person and caines people trying to make her look money hungry hell people it's the economy so the 99 % are all money hungry when it comes to calling out a 1% er. Caine took advanage of his postion just like he will if he gets elected plus we will never get the pizza smell out of the white house. So much to sending young white females to the white house to work during the summer. Really though I would like to know if all the ladies he harassed are white. I know his wife is not going to give up her man and become one of the 99%.
how stupid does this story sound? I am not a Cain supporter in any way but when I saw this woman standing there with Gloria Allred all sorts of red flags went up, not only do I think she is making a lot of this up I think she is looking for the big payday that comes with the media clamor, get a life and move on, why wasnt all this brought up 14 years ago? got to love the "ambulance chaser" that is gloria allred always trying to make the big buck. and let the mudslinging part of the campaign begin!!
This all reminded me of Jennifer Flowers all over again. This woman even looks like Jennifer
The woman only faces a lawsuit and/or jail time if she is fabricating her accusations. Maybe just a wee bit of incentive not to tell a lie simply to deny this man a political seat. Or, as the tea bags imply, she really does want to go to jail or be sued for millions and have nothing for the rest of her life. That is after all how tea bag logic goes.
Yeah, right. The brilliant thing is that everyone knows that anything she says is completely unprovable. She can say whatever she wants, because even if she blatantly lying she knows there is NO WAY to prove it, so she is safe.
That is the problem with these kinds of accusations (and there are those who know it well). You can trot someone out, they can make any outrageous claim they want of something that happened in total private, and there is no way in the world to prove or disprove it. So either way, they win because they get the dirt out there and are protected from any repercussions because it can never be proven that they lied.
disapointed1 does this remind you of a fired illegal alien Calif. housekeeper???
Just wondering....
why did she work for gloria allred?
Why Now? Why is all this crap hitting the fan NOW? This is not Cains first Rodeo! Why did this stuff not come up when he ran for the senate? HUMMMM? And all this stuff happened YEARS ago!!!!!!! Why wait for years to report all this stuff??????? to me only to knock off a candidate.