Much attention is being placed on Herman Cain’s political aspirations for the White House through his book, his televised public appearances and personal statements as a result of his meteoric rise in popularity.

 Herman Cain: Accused of Sexual Harassment

Now, it’s time for Herman Cain’s personal history to come under closer scrutiny, as is the wont of the political press.

Before he was a "politician," candidate Cain was a businessman who was CEO for not only Godfather's Pizza, but a board member for other major companies including Nabisco, Whirlpool and Reader's Digest.

Cain is also an associate pastor at the Antioch Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.

The accusations now swirling against against Cain came from a period in the 1990's when he was the head of the American Restaurant Association (ARA) where he lobbied for a lowering of the legal alcohol limit for drivers and for the American cigarette industry.

The web site Politico.com that said Cain’s lobbying group had signed agreements with two women who had accused him of harassment while at the ARA.

The Politico report said the women also received five-figure financial payouts to leave the association and were prevented from talking about their cases. Both women's names have been withheld.

Cain did not deny the allegations but said they were untrue. Acknowledging the payouts were made, Cain has been making the rounds to major media outlets saying the reports amounted to unsubstantiated attacks.