Mfume Accused of Favoritism At NAACP

"No and no again," he said.

But Goodman's analysis in the 2004 memo said Speaks's claims could create the impression that Mfume approved raises and promotions to women who were his "paramours" or were involved romantically with one of his older sons. If those claims held up in court, Goodman wrote, they "would likely be damaging to the organization's reputation."

To bolster her analysis, Goodman details salary information for several women who worked at the NAACP's national headquarters in Baltimore and states that those rumored to have close relationships with Mfume, or with his son, have fared better than those who did not.

In Goodman's inquiry, Mfume was asked about the 10 allegations. According to the memo, Mfume said, "[T]here is not nor has there been any situation where female employees have been 'pitted against one another' to obtain raises or promotions."

Some board members offered an assessment of Mfume's performance in the job.

"He helped bring us through some very dark times," said one member, Gary Bledsoe, a lawyer from Austin.

Hazel N. Dukes, a board member from New York, agreed. "I'm dumbfounded that someone would give this around," she said of the memo. "Mr. Mfume served well at the NAACP."

The board, which is gathering today in Cambridge, Mass., is expected to discuss the selection of Mfume's successor.

Staff researcher Bobbye Pratt contributed to this report.