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Al Franken Responds to Groping Allegation — Here’s the Photo He Probably Regrets Taking

Nov 16, 2017  •  Post A Comment

Al Franken, the former “Saturday Night Live” personality turned U.S. senator from Minnesota, is calling for an ethics investigation into his own behavior after being accused of kissing and groping a woman without her consent during a USO tour in 2006, The Hill reports.

Television host and sports broadcaster Leeann Tweeden accused Franken of improprieties including groping her breasts while she was asleep on a military plane. A photo of the groping incident, which you can see below, has been making the rounds on Twitter and other social media outlets.

In a statement released today, Franken said: “I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences. I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.”

“In a piece on KABC, Tweeden published a photo of Franken groping her breasts while they were both on a USO tour. She also wrote that Franken forcibly kissed her while they were rehearsing a sketch for a performance,” The Hill reports, adding: “Franken initially issued a brief, three-sentence statement, in which he said he didn’t remember the rehearsal for the skit ‘in the same way.'”

Franken received backlash following his initial statement, in which he said he had sent “my sincerest apologies to Leeann” and admitted that he should not have taken the photo, saying it was “clearly intended to be funny.”

He followed up with a more definitive apology today after receiving negative feedback on his first attempt from across the political spectrum, The Hill notes.

“The first and most important thing — and if it’s the only thing you care to hear, that’s fine — is: I’m sorry,” Franken wrote in today’s statement. “I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”

Franken also wrote: “The truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them.”

9 Comments

  1. worthless POS! MN must be so proud… think about this every time he starts lecturing others in hearings. What a fraud!

  2. It’s time for him to go.

  3. Here’s the photo he regrets taking?!? Typical lib…no wonder women are afraid to come forward with comments like this. I’m sure it was her fault for falling asleep into his groping hands.

  4. It was a skit. He apologized anyway.

  5. Hi A:

    That was NOT a skit. That photo was indeed taken while she was asleep. He has to go – then every follow what they want to do….

  6. It’s just amazing that “some” Libs are finally questioning if their take on ‘Ole Billy might have been more than a little colored by POLITICS and was a stranger to RIGHT and WRONG. Alas, “Too Much Too Little Too Late” as the old song goes. The damage with Bill Clinton has been done and cannot be undone. It’s why it’s taken us so long to get to the point we’re at now. Other Libs commenting on CNN and MSNBC are trying to claim “the times are “different” now than when Bill Clinton was preying on women.”
    No they’re not !! What was wrong THEN is just as wrong NOW ! And so here we are, where each new day opens up another can of worms that gives us Roy Moore, Al Franken, Hollywood actor/producer, casting director etc…of the moment.

  7. Al does have to go and so does Trump. His accusers should be given the same attention and consideration. This is a non-partisan issue.

  8. Just something to think about:: A Republican is accused of something (Moore) it’s tar & feather him, string him up! A Democrat is accused of worst things (Clinton – rape) and it’s “Oh, things were different then”.How Liberals con maintain such cognitive dissonance amazes me.

  9. What amazes me is that people seem to think it’s a partisan issue. Speaking just as a human being, it’s not funny, it’s not acceptable, and it NEVER HAS BEEN. It’s just a sad thing that it has taken this long for people who have been subjected to this type of behavior and abuse to feel empowered enough to speak out. Those who have committed abuse toward women, men, and especially children, should ALL be held accountable for their actions. I can’t imagine why anyone would think it’s okay for one side of the political spectrum and not the other, and to continue to support someone who has admitted to committing these acts is even more mind boggling. These perpetrators feel entitled to do what they want because of some perceived power they believe they have over others. They are sick human beings, admit it and hold them accountable. It does not matter what side of the political fence you sit on, this type of behavior is just not okay, and it needs to end. It’s not really more complicated than that.

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