Woman Admits Relationship with Georgia Gov. Candidate Ray McBerry

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - In her first television interview Tuesday, a 24-year-old woman said as a teenager she had a romantic relationship with Ray McBerry, who is now a Republican candidate for governor. McBerry denied any misconduct with the young woman.

Rachel Gandee's story first appeared on the internet and in newspaper accounts. Gandee addressed the allegations publicly Tuesday, in an effort she said to put the difficult time behind her.

"I mean, I trusted him so I went to him and he was the youth minister at the time," Gandee said.

Gandee said her relationship with McBerry took place eight years ago, over a period of several months. At the time, Gandee was 16 years old.

"I guess it was like any relationship when you first start off you know, [kind of] kissing, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. It just [kind of] grew from there to what eventually happens," Gandee recalled.

Gandee said she and McBerry had sex one time.

Gandee, who is now 24 years old, works in Fayette County as a medical assistant and her husband, Chris, is an emergency medical technician.

"At the time, I was too ashamed and scared and didn't know what to think to say anything about it," Gandee said.

Gandee is now speaking publicly about the relationship, just as the race for governor heats up.

McBerry has been running for governor under a conservative states' rights banner and he has denied any misconduct.

"It's not true. There was no romantic relationship on my end," McBerry said. "The charge of any kind of sexual relationship came out of nowhere last week."

CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE REPORTER PAUL YATES' INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL GANDEE:




On Monday at the state Capitol, McBerry called a press conference to deny any misconduct.

"They were nothing more than family friends, people we went to church with. We were in their home, they were in our home. There was no improper relationship between me and the young lady," McBerry said.

McBerry emphasized that he had not been formally accused of wrongdoing.

Gandee said she decided to speak publicly to help put a troubling time behind her. "I just want to let it go. I want to be able to go out in public and not worry about seeing him and not knowing what I'm [going to] do, if I'm [going to] break down where ever I am. If I'm [going to] get mad and do something I shouldn't do. I just want to let it go and forget about it. I want to put the past behind me. I don't want to keep it with me anymore."

McBerry was not charged with wrongdoing and he said he is moving ahead with his campaign for governor.

In recent days, one Republican candidate, Karen Handel said she will not appear on stage at debates or forums with McBerry.