Franken Issues Apology After Accusation of Forcible Kissing and Groping a woman

Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, during a Judiciary committee hearing last month. Credit Al Drago for The New York Times

Leeann Tweeden

Did you know another victim claims sexual harassment which has reached the Senate on Thursday, when a radio newscaster accused Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, of kissing and groping her without consent during a 2006 U.S.O. tour of the Middle East before he took public office?

Did you know that Mr. Franken, immediately released an apology to the newscaster,
Leeann Tweeden, who said that Mr. Franken forcibly kissed her during a rehearsal and groped her for a photo as she slept?

Did you know that Ms. Tweeden’s also presented evidence, including a photograph of Mr. Franken, his head turned toward the camera, with his hands placed over Ms. Tweeden’s breasts as she slept?

Did you know that according to account, Mr. Franken wrote a bawdy script that included a kiss for the two to perform onstage. When it came time to rehearse the skit, she wrote, Mr. Franken insisted on kissing despite her protestations?
 

Did you know that Ms. Tweeden said “I immediately pushed him away with both of my hands against his chest and told him if he ever did that to me again I wouldn’t be so nice about it the next time,” Ms. Tweeden wrote. “I walked away. All I could think about was getting to a bathroom as fast as possible to rinse the taste of him out of my mouth”“I felt disgusted and violated,” she added.

Ms. Tweeden said that no one else witnessed the kiss, and she did not tell the tour’s organizers. She said Mr. Franken retaliated against her with insults and, she learned after the trip ended, the compromising photograph?

Ms. Tweeden said the photograph was taken while she was asleep on a flight back to the United States from Afghanistan and that she saw it only later, after the trip ended.

Did you know that Ms. Tweeden, a former model, said that women were too often blamed for provoking male aggression based on their looks or clothing?

Did you know that even before the accusations against Mr. Franken, lawmakers in both the Senate and House had moved to begin mandatory anti-harassment training for all Capitol Hill employees and interns?

Did you know that Ms. Tweeden’s story came one day after Ms. Speier and four other lawmakers, including Rep. Ryan Costello, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Rep. Bruce Poliquin, Republican of Maine, introduced legislation to overhaul the way sexual harassment and assault are reported in Congress?

Lisbeth Kaufman

Did you know that Congressional aides, attorneys and lobbyists say the existing system is convoluted, and has long been stacked against those wishing to speak out against an abuser: The current process requires nondisclosure agreements and can take up to six months before a formal complaint is filed?

Did you know that the proposed legislation would make anonymity optional, as well as require lawmakers to reimburse the U.S. Treasury for paying out any settlements to victims?

Did you know that Lisbeth Kaufman, who worked for Mr. Franken during his first term while she was in her mid-20s, said Mr. Franken never behaved inappropriately in the office to her knowledge, and recalled him as a focused and intelligent lawmaker?

 Now if you didn't know, now you know...



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