Dem Sen. Al Franken apologizes for groping news anchor Leeann Tweeden
Democratic Senator Al Franken, who has been hailed as one of the Democratic Party's largest successes as a U.S. Senator, has been added to the pileup of politicians in North America accused of sexual abuse, assault, harassment and other sexual misconduct issues.
Leeann Tweeden, a sports commentator and news anchor for KABC, is one of the latest women accusing Al Franken of sexual assault and harassment. She stated he groped her in a provided photo, as well as kissed her violently after nearly harassing her demanding for a kiss.
According to Leeann, she was working with him on a skit of which they both needed to have a kissing scene. He argued they needed to practice the scene, of which Leeann did not want to. After he persisted, she eventually agreed to practice the scene - but when the kiss arrived, he 'shoved his tongue in [her] mouth' and 'mashed his lips on [hers]'.
Al Franken has publicly came out to say formal apologies for the photo, saying although he does not remember the kissing incident going as she said he does notice that men need to respect women's experiences.
The Democratic senator has said he is willing to cooperate with an ethics committee investigation by the U.S. Senate panel, and stated he respects women and continues to do so even after the allegations. He stated that he fully understood why she felt uncomfortable and stated his actions were wrong.
Al Franken taking full responsibility for the assault and harassment comes shortly after the Republican Senate candidate of Alabama fully denied up to eight accusations by women accusing him of sexual assault, and misconduct.
Leeann, via an interview with other news agencies, has said she does not want Senator Al Franken to step down saying 'that is not what [she] asked for' by releasing the story, saying she simply wanted a formal apology.
The accuser said that she really believes his apology statement to her was very heartfelt and honest, saying that she can tell he does respect women now and does regret the situation entirely. She also, for a second time, stated she did not come out with this story to ruin anybody's life or credibility.
According to Tweeden, her story on Al Franken's sexual misconduct was released publicly nearly 10 years after the incident had taken place because she felt that it would help other women come out now, in real time, about the issues saying it's important for women to come out with these stories.
She denounced, while being interviewed by CNN, the way the U.S. government handles these situations by paying millions of dollars for settlements to hush the accusers also making them sign non-disclosure agreements on the situations.
Tweeden got emotional during the interview after being questioned by Jake Tapper on the situation's effects on future generations, including her children. She said that her actions are intended to make the world better for her children.
The accuser said she really hadn't expected such an enormous development from her release of the accusations; saying she really didn't expect the media response she got while announcing it. She said hallways of her workplace were filled with cameras and reporters, blocking her from going to the bathroom.
Sen. Al Franken's apology made it's war to the world's ears as an attempt to force Roy Moore to look at the possibility to apologize to his accusers without fully agreeing that the incidents took place as described.
Moore had said that the incidents involving some of the accusers was not described honestly in his point of view. Al Franken did say the same about Leeann Tweeden's accusation, however stated it's still necessary to apologize and acknowledge the way women interpret potentially degrading situations.
