harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false , '' a campaign statement said . `` Mr. Cain has never harassed anyone . '' Earlier accuser 's attorney talks to CNN Since becoming public on October 30 in a report by Politico , the sexual harassment accusations have overwhelmed the bid by the former pizza company executive to win the Republican presidential nomination . Cain , a favorite of tea party conservatives , has risen to the top of the polls following strong performances in several debates and the release of his `` 9-9-9 '' tax plan that sets flat 9 % rates for corporate and income taxes and also creates a 9 % national sales tax . However , Bialek 's accusation raises fresh questions about whether Cain has been candid about the allegations that he sexually harassed women at the restaurant association when he headed the group from 1996-99 . Bialek said she started to work at the group 's foundation in 1996 but was laid off in 1997 . The association confirmed Bialek 's employment dates as December 30 , 1996 , to June 20 , 1997 . Shortly after getting let go , Bialek said , she
Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain faced a new claim of sexually inappropriate behavior Monday as a Chicago woman told reporters the former head of the National Restaurant Association groped her after a dinner together in 1997 . Sharon Bialek , who worked at the restaurant group 's education foundation until shortly before the alleged groping incident , said Cain unexpectedly put his hand on her leg beneath her skirt `` toward my genitals . '' She also said he pushed her head toward his crotch . Cain stopped when she protested , Bialek told a news conference . Looking into the television cameras , Bialek said : `` I want you , Mr. Cain , to come clean . Just admit what you did . '' Gloria Allred a girl 's best friend The accusation follows the disclosure last week that the restaurant association provided payments to two women who left the group after alleging sexual harassment by Cain , also in the late 1990s . Cain has denied all accusations of sexual harassment , and his campaign put out a fresh denial after Bialek made her accusations on Monday . `` All allegations of