Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is calling for the Senate ethics committee to investigate charges that Sen. Al Franken groped Los Angeles radio host Leeann Tweeden while the two were on tour during a USO show in 2006. The incident happened before the comedian ran for senate.
“As with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter. I hope the Democratic Leader will join me on this,” McConnell said on Thursday shortly after the accusation came to light. “Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable — in the workplace or anywhere else.”
Tweeden said the former “Saturday Night Live” star, engaged in the unwanted sexual conduct while the two were rehearsing for a sketch in which he would kiss her on the lips.
“I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd,” wrote Tweeden in a blog post for L.A.’s 790 KABC, where she works as a morning news anchor.
According to Tweeden when she eventually relented and rehearsed the skit, Franken grabbed her by the back of the head and forced his tongue down her throat.
“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,” Tweeden said. Her post also included photo of Franken seemingly groping her while she slept.
For his part, Franken said he didn’t recall the specifics, but through a spokesman, offered his sincerest apologies if he had behaved inappropriately.
“I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann,” he said. “As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”