Conservative media personality Larry Elder, a candidate in California's gubernatorial recall election, said in audio clips of his radio show uncovered by CNN that he was twice the subject of workplace sexual harassment allegations.
The comments were made in 2011, alongside remarks about the physical appearances of certain female public figures.
The first instance of alleged workplace harassment Elder said occurred sometime in the 1980s when he worked as a private-practice attorney. It allegedly involved an employee of the firm he worked at. The woman in question accused Elder of making inappropriate advances toward her on the job.
Elder defended himself by "implying the woman was too unattractive for him to sexually harass," according to CNN.
"If you had seen her, you would know that the picture would be a complete defense. I'm just saying," Elder told CNN. He added that his accuser "backed down" when he threatened to sue her for defamation.
The gubernatorial candidate also admitted to an incident that occurred while he worked as a Cleveland-area television host. In that report, Elder allegedly encouraged a guest to show a tattoo on his bottom to two camerawomen. Elder was told by station management to apologize to the employees or face termination.
In an interview with CNN, Elder said he did not recall disclosing the two sexual harassment allegations on his radio show.
"The whole point behind your series of questions is, do I respect women, and I don't," Elder told CNN. "I have a great deal of respect for women. My mom was a woman. I had her on my show every Friday."
When asked to comment on his implication that the woman who accused him of misconduct in the 1980s was not attractive enough to harass, Elder said he was "making a joke, making light" of the situation.
CNN has published clips they uncovered from segments of Elder's radio show in which he reportedly addresses the allegations, along with audio of other instances in which Elder has expressed opinions about certain women’s appearances on air.
He reportedly characterized Meghan McCain, a conservative commentator and daughter of deceased U.S. Senator John McCain, as looking "like a porn star."
Perhaps most egregiously, he reportedly theorized that Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was too unattractive to sexually assault.
In discussion with a caller about a news story concerning a woman who accused pop star Justin Bieber of impregnating her when the singer was still a minor, Elder said, "If somebody were accused of statutory rape, the defense would be, 'Would I rape Nancy Pelosi?' I think that's probably a defense."
"That would make me nauseous," the caller said, to which Elder responded, "Yeah."
Earlier this month, Elder's former fiancée filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department, claiming the candidate brandished a gun at her in 2015 "while high on marijuana."
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