Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain has acknowledged he was accused of sexual harassment while heading the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s. Cain made the admission after Politico reported two female employees of the association had complained of sexually suggestive comments and gestures by Cain. When Cain first responded to the controversy Monday, he claimed he was not aware if a payout had been made to the women.

Herman Cain, Republican presidential candidate: “I would be delighted to clear the air. Number one: In all of my over 40 years of business experience, running businesses and corporations, I have never sexually harassed anyone. Number two: While at the Restaurant Association, I was accused of sexual harassment—falsely accused, I might add… As far as a settlement, I am unaware of any sort of settlement; I hope it wasn’t for much, because I didn’t do anything. But the fact of the matter is I’m not aware of a settlement that came out of that accusation.”

Later in the day, Cain appeared on PBS NewsHour and acknowledged a settlement was paid out.

Judy Woodruff: “And in terms of the settlement, which was reached by the Restaurant Association, you as the CEO were not aware of that, or you were aware of that?”

Herman Cain: “I was not. I was aware that an agreement was reached. The word 'settlement' versus the word 'agreement,' you know, I’m not sure what they called it.”