Cain accuser alleged 'several incidents'

WASHINGTON -- One of Herman Cain's accusers alleged "several incidents of sexual harassment" in a formal complaint more than a decade ago, her lawyer disclosed Friday, a fresh allegation that could complicate the Republican presidential hopeful's determined bid to lay the controversy to rest.

The lawyer, Joel Bennett, said his client -- married then and now -- accepted a financial settlement in leaving her job at the National Restaurant Association shortly after lodging the complaint against Cain, who was then the group's head.

Bennett did not name the woman, who he said stands by her allegations and has decided not "to relive the specifics" of the incidents in a public forum.

Cain, who tried to return to normal campaigning Friday, has repeatedly denied ever sexually harassing anyone.

His spokesman, J.D. Gordon, said in response to Bennett's comments, "We're looking to put this issue behind us and focus on the real issues, which are fixing this broken economy, putting Americans back to work and strengthening national security."

Apart from disclosing that his client alleged more than one incident, Bennett's remarks added little of substance to a controversy that erupted nearly a week ago.

"She made a complaint in good faith about a series of inappropriate behaviors and unwanted advances from the CEO" of the restaurant organization, he said.

In a statement late in the day, Dawn Sweeney, the trade group's current chief executive, said Cain had disputed the allegations at the time they were made. She also said the organization was willing to waive a confidentiality agreement the woman signed when she left her job, a concession that a spokeswoman later said would not necessarily apply to any other former employee.

Cain has contended an internal investigation at the time of the complaint showed no evidence of improper conduct by him, but Sweeney did not address that issue.