Herman Cain's wife Gloria is stepping into the spotlight to defend her husband. The intensely private woman has been silent about the sexual harassment accusations against her husband until now. INSIDE EDITION has the latest.
The ex-boyfriend of Herman Cain's best-known accuser, Sharon Bialek, is coming forward to say her claims are all true.
"Sharon indeed did meet and spend time with Mr. Cain," said pediatrician Dr. Victor Zuckerman. "She said that something had happened and that Mr. Cain had touched her in an inappropriate manner. She said she handled it and didn't want to talk about it any further."
Sharon Bialek was dating Dr. Zuckerman at the time of her alleged encounter with Cain.
"He put his hand on my leg, under my skirt, and reached for my genitals," Bialek told reporters during her press conference.
Cain says it never happened, and he doesn't even remember her.
"I don't even know who this woman is," he said at his press conference.
"Sharon introduced me to Mr. Cain. Mr. Cain invited Sharon and I to an exclusive after party. At that party, Mr. Cain engaged both of us in conversation," Dr. Zuckerman said.
The doctor spoke out at a nationally televised press conference in Shreveport, Louisiana. At his side was lawyer Gloria Allred, who also represents Bialek.
"After Mr. Cain reviews Dr. Zuckerman's statement, he needs to be honest and forthcoming with the public about the fact that he does know Sharon Bialek," Allred said.
The witness account comes on the day that Cain's wife speaks out to defend her husband.
"To hear such graphic allegations and know that that would have been something that was totally disrespectful of her as a woman, and I know that's not the person he is. He totally respects women," Gloria Cain said.
Gloria, who's shunned the spotlight until now, sat down for her first interview, with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren. Gloria said she watched the bombshell press conference when Bialek accused Cain of groping her.
She said, "I looked at especially this last lady and the things that she said and I'm thinking, he would have to have a split personality to do the things that she said."
Van Susteren also spoke to the Cains' son Vincent, their daughter Melanie, and their grandchildren, who have also been kept out of the public eye.
"Your mother said that your father talks too much," Van Susteren said.
As they all laughed, Vincent said, "He's got a lot to say."
"We're immune to it, that's what it is," added Melanie.
Meanwhile, the sexual harassment charges seem to be hurting Cain. The latest poll shows him slipping to second place behind Mitt Romney. Both Romney and Cain trail President Obama, Romney by six points, and Cain by nine points.
As for Rick Perry, he's dropping like a stone, falling to fifth place among Republicans following his epic "Oops" moment at last week's debate, which was lampooned on Saturday Night Live.
