The California morning radio host Leeann Tweeden at a press conference on Thursday, said Franken grabbed her breasts while she slept on a military aircraft. She produced a photo that shows Franken grabbing her breasts when she was a 23-year-old model during the tour.
She also claimed that he forced his tongue into her mouth while they rehearsed a scene where they would fake a ‘kiss’ for the military audience.
“People make mistakes. I’m not calling for him to step down. That’s not my place to say that,” said Tweeden
According to her, the incidents occurred before Franken was elected senator and that she had accepted his apology years ago, but hinted more women might come forward against the Senator.
“I’ve gotten a phone call from a woman that has – I’ve only gotten a message – that says something similar has happened to her. And I haven’t returned it yet. So that’s to be determined. I don’t know,” she said.
On why she kept the abuse a secret, she said Franken was a powerful man in Washington and she feared the accusation might cost her job.
Franken, 66, who is the latest high profile figure to be accused of sexual misconduct since the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke in October, reacted to the controversial photo and issued an apology in a statement hours after Tweeden went public.
“I don’t know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesn’t matter. There’s no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate. It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture.”
The shameful allegation has prompted lawmakers to call for Franken to step down from the Senate.
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