Herman Cain: "I have never sexually harrased anyone."

WASHINGTON–GOP White House hopeful Herman Cain said he “never sexually harassed anyone” while at the National Restaurant Association but did confirm there was an in-house investigation of his conduct.

Cain is enjoying front-runner status in the crowded 2012 Republican field and as a result, “the bullseye on my back is getting bigger,” he told a crowded lunch speech at the National Press Club. The speech, long booked, came as Politico published a story alleging the NRA paid a settlement to workers as a result of harassment charges.

“In all my over 40 years of business experience,…I have never sexually harassed anyone…. At the NRA, I was accused of sexually harrassement. Falsely accused, I might add,” he said.

Cain said he recused himself from a probe of the alleged incidents conducted by the NRA.

“I am not aware of a settlement. I hope it is not for much because I did not do anything. ..I have never sexually harrased anyone and those accusations are totally false.”

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My Twitter feeds from the lunch….

#HermanCain #npclunch closed with a gospel-style song, great velvet voice.

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“This many white people can’t pretend that they like me,” #HermanCain #npclunch, asked about the racism in the U.S. today.

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#HermanCain #npclunch: “I am not aware of a settlement. . …I have never sexually harrased anyone and those accusations are totally false.”

31 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

twitpic.com/78vrk4 – Riffing with no notes: #Herman Cain #npclunch. Wrongly says applause is from reporters.

50 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

twitpic.com/78vpuj – After “Todays news stories, really know what its like 2b number 1,” #HermanCain #npclunch

53 minutes ago Favorite Reply Delete

twitpic.com/78vl1x – #Hermancain holding “999” cupcake @npc lunch. Cain about to start speaking.

1 hour ago Favorite Reply Delete

twitpic.com/78v8ja – #HermanCain has kid aide, red rope blocking anyone from approaching his side of head table

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twitpic.com/78v6l9 – #HermanCain gets frontrunner attention before #National Press Club speech. Packed room.

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#HermanCain COS Mark Block at #NationalPressClub scrum w/ press before speech says Cain don’t know nothing about sexual harrassment charges.