Herman Denies Allegation She Sold Influence

Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman denied allegations that she had sold her influence in the White House and said Thursday she “will not be distracted” by a Justice Department inquiry.

President Clinton defended Herman when asked about the accusation shortly before the two were to appear in New York. “I don’t believe that for a minute,” he said.

“I want you to know that these allegations aren’t true,” Herman told reporters earlier during a brief appearance on the Labor Department steps. “My attorney . . . has contacted the Justice Department and has told them that I will cooperate fully.”

The allegations against Herman stem from her tenure as director of the White House Office of Public Liaison during Clinton’s first four years in office.

During confirmation hearings for the Labor post, it was reported that she had met frequently at the White House with former business associate Vanessa Weaver and with clients Weaver was working with through her own consulting firm. No evidence of wrongdoing surfaced.

Weaver bought Herman’s consulting business for between $50,000 and $100,000 after Herman took the White House job in 1993.

Now a former partner of Weaver’s, Laurent Yene, contends that Herman agreed to use her influence at the White House to help Weaver and Yene. In exchange, he told ABC News, Herman was to get 10% of their fees. He alleged that he once delivered cash to her.

Weaver’s attorney, E. Lawrence Barcella, denied Yene’s account.