Report: Allred Talked to Obama Before Pushing for Romney Files

Democratic lawyer Gloria Allred talked briefly with President Barack Obama backstage at a star-studded California fundraiser earlier this month – and is now seeking to unseal documents in a 1991 divorce case involving testimony of GOP candidate Mitt Romney.

Allred told Fox News on Oct. 7 that she had “just had a few words with the president” backstage that night at the Los Angeles gala, entitled “30 Days to Victory,” at the Nokia Theatre.

“He had some very kind words for me,” she told Fox that night. “And he knows of my work for women's rights,” she added, Fox reported on Wednesday.

Allred, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., last month, declined to elaborate further on their conversation, Fox reports.

Now, Allred is hoping to unseal testimony that Romney gave in the divorce case of Staples Inc. founder Tom Stemberg, Fox reports.

The company, based in suburban Boston, was founded with seed money from Romney's firm, Bain Capital – and Stemberg is a Romney surrogate, Fox reports.

Allred appeared in a Massachusetts courtroom on Wednesday representing Maureen Stemberg, his former wife. They said they did not object to a motion from the Boston Globe to unseal Romney's testimony in the case.

It was the second hearing on the Globe’s motion, Fox reports. Attorneys said Romney's testimony dealt with financial issues.

Robert Jones, representing Romney, said he does expect to object to the Globe’s request but would like time to review the entire transcript of the case.

The court move is raising concerns whether Allred is trying to execute an “October surprise” – and whether the Obama campaign might have any role in such an action, Fox reports.