2 more women accuse Senator Al Franken of sexual assault
Two more women have stepped forward with sexual assault accusations against Senator Al Franken, further complicating the unfolding sex scandal surrounding the top Democrat.
The women, who chose not to reveal their identity, broke the news in an interview with Huffington Post on Wednesday, saying Franken inappropriately touched them during his first campaign for the Senate.
One woman said Franken had groped her buttocks when they posed for a photo after a June 25, 2007, event organized by the Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus in Minneapolis.
The second woman told a similar story, accusing Franken of making the same move at a 2008 Democratic fundraiser in Minneapolis.
“My immediate reaction was disgust,” she said. “But my secondary reaction was disappointment … It felt like: ‘Is this really the person who is going to be in a position of power to represent our community?’”
This brings to four the number of women who have spoken against the troubled senator.
Earlier, Leeann Tweeden, a radio host, and 33-year-old Lindsay Menz had accused Franken of subjecting them to unwanted sexual advances.
The lawmaker has been photographed in some of the cases, most noticeably one where he is seen groping an unconscious woman and smiling to the camera.
‘I don’t remember’
Franken responded to the new report in a statement addressed to the Huffington Post, saying he could not confirm “anonymous accusers.”
“It’s difficult to respond to anonymous accusers, and I don’t remember those campaign events,” he said. “I can categorically say that I did not proposition anyone to join me in any bathroom.”
Franken has insisted that he will not resign, according to a spokesperson.
The United States grapples with the sexual assault and harassment scandals that have left the world of entertainment, business and politics in a state of shock.
The unfolding debacle has so far engulfed big names such as Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, renowned interviewer Charlie Rose and award-winning actor Kevin Spacey as well as politicians like Republican Senate hopeful Roy Moore.
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