Sharon Bialek, the Chicago area woman who publicly detailed sex assault allegations against Herman Cain, sought the last word Monday during a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred.
"My whole intention was to give him a platform to tell the truth," Bialek said, explaining her motivation for coming forward with allegations Cain tried to touch her. "The American people love to forgive people."
But he didn't come clean, Allred said, and he never admitted to meeting Bialek or talking with her about a job.
So Bialek and Allred on Monday presented their own 9-9-9 score for Cain, who suspended his presidential campaign over the weekend. For honesty, being forthright, taking responsibility and showing respect for the women who made accusations, as well as campaign donors and the public's intelligence, Allred said Cain gets a zero.
"He has yet to change himself from the inside and that is why he failed," Allred said. "He still has not come clean on his relationship [with Bialek]."
Bialek, who resides in suburban Mundelein, alleged that Cain attempted to grope her as she sought his help in getting a job with the American Restaurant Association in 1997.
The Cain campaign in response shot back with numerous court cases and a sordid child custody fight from 11 years ago, asking, "Who is Sharon Bialek?"
Bialek on Monday admitted she had financial problems in the past and that she still has them. She also said she's looking for a job. But that's not why she came forward, she said.
"I could have sold my story but I refuse to do so," Bialek said, noting she exposed herself to an inordinate amount of character assassination in the process. "I wasn't running for the most important job in the world, Mr. Cain was."
Last week Bialek's landlord filed an eviction order to collect $7,500 from her in back rent, according to a Cook County Sheriff’s spokesman. Formal papers were delivered to Bialek's home last Tuesday evening after a failed attempt earlier that day.
In the end, Bialek said she feels the public accusations were worth it. "I feel like I have impacted his race for the President," she said.
"In some small way I feel slightly vindicated."
Allred says Bialek does not plan to file a lawsuit.
