Los Angeles Sexual Assault Lawyer Blog

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Republican Presidential hopeful Herman Cain was hit with sexual harassment charges in recent years, which has thus far become a hot political topic as the candidates race toward the nomination.

Allegations of sexual harassment in Los Angeles for instance can range from unwelcome sexual advances to requests for sexual favors, sexually offensive jokes and touching that is considered inappropriate.

In workplaces where this type of environment is allowed and unlawful activities persist, an experienced Orange County sexual harassment lawyer can be important. In atmospheres where bosses use their power and influence to allow this type of behavior, a lawsuit may be the only thing that can stop the problems at work.

Politico recently reported that two female employees of the National Restaurant Association accused Cain of improper conduct while he was the organization's chief between 1996 and 1999. The unidentified women signed agreements with the association that included financial payouts and required they not speak about the alleged incidents.

Cain denounced the allegations, saying he has never sexually harassed anyone in his 40 years of business experience. The Los Angeles Times reports that in several interviews following the story being published, Cain gave different accounts of what happened.

In one interview, Cain said he didn't know if the association had settled with anyone over the allegations, but said he hoped it wasn't for much money. Later that day, he denied the charges and said he didn't know if the charges were settled or how much might have been paid out by the trade group. He said he stood aside and allowed the group to handle the issue.

In another TV appearance, Cain said the association settled with one woman, saying it may have been for several months' salary, which was less than she demanded. He said in another interview that he didn't believe he had acted behaved inappropriately. "But as you would imagine, it's in the eye of the person who thinks that maybe I crossed the line."

Some GOP strategists believe the episode could help the campaign as backers label the situation as the "liberal media" trying to take him down, but other analysts believe that the issue could be troubling to donors who don't like Cain's seemingly unprepared campaign.

Regardless, it appears from the fact that there was a settlement that some type of sexual harassment happened, though based on the terms of the settlement reported in the article, we probably will never know the details.

Sexual harassment in Los Angeles can happen anyplace -- from business offices to government offices and many places in between.

Harassment happens when people in power feel they have no accountability. They believe they can treat co-workers how they wish, even if that includes sexually based conversations and e-mails or even groping and touching inappropriately. It's all unlawful and must be stopped.