Too bad they’re on tape.

Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC) is denying that he ever made comments regarding workplace discrimination against LGBT people. The allegations arise from a town hall event in Ballantyne, North Carolina where he was asked whether he thought businesses should be able to fire someone because they are gay or lesbian. His answer was that businesses should have the autonomy to fire LGBT workers followed up by “Why should government be there to impose on the freedoms we enjoy?”

When the story was picked up by another publication, the congressman stood by his comments.

Soon after, human rights groups started attacking hiss stance, organizing and protesting at Pittenger’s office, when he claimed he never made the statements in the first place. Local channel WSOC-TV reported: “The congressman’s office insists he never made the divisive statement…Pittinger told [ThinkProgress] he does not support the employment non-discrimination act and the blogger ran with it.”

MSNBC also followed up: “His opposition to ENDA was ‘translated’ into ‘firing gays’ by that blogger,” the director, Jamie Bowers, wrote in an email to msnbc on Friday.”

Unfortunately for Congressman Pittinger, and the many deniers on his behalf, his comments were recorded:

[H/T ThinkProgress]