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Franken accuser believes apology is 'heartfelt,' willing to testify in ethics probe

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The woman who accused Sen. Al Franken of kissing and groping her without her consent in 2006 said Thursday that she believes the Minnesota Democrat’s public apology was sincere and « heartfelt. »
The woman who accused Sen. Al Franken Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenOvernight Tech: Senate panel subpoenaed ex-Yahoo chief| Twitter gives all users 280 characters| FBI can’t access Texas shooter’s phone| EU wants tax answers from Apple Week ahead: DHS nominee heads before Senate| Ex-Yahoo chief to testify on hack| Senators dig into election security Feinstein: Sessions should re-testify on Russia meetings MORE of kissing and groping her without her consent in 2006 said Thursday that she believes the Minnesota Democrat’s public apology was sincere and « heartfelt. »
In an emotional interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Los Angeles morning radio host Leeann Tweeden said Franken’s initial apology Thursday morning sounded as if it had been issued « hastily » by a staffer. But the senator’s second, longer apology, she said, seemed sincere.
« That one did seem heartfelt. And I believe it, and I believe him, you know, » she said. « And I honestly do believe him. I wasn’t waiting for an apology from him, but I gladly accept it. »
Asked by Tapper whether she would be willing to testify as part of an Ethics Committee probe into Franken’s conduct, Tweeden said that she would, if she was called to do so.
Franken himself has called for an ethics investigation into the incident, as have Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell expects Paul to return to Senate next week Former Hill staff calls for mandatory harassment training Gaming the odds of any GOP tax bill getting signed into law MORE (R-Ky) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).
In an article posted online Thursday morning, Tweeden said Franken forcibly kissed her in 2006, when the two of them were on a USO tour in the Middle East. She also revealed a photo, in which Franken can be seen groping her chest while she was asleep.
She said that she felt inspired to come forward with her account after Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared her own experience with sexual harassment earlier this month, when she revealed that a male chief of staff had forcibly kissed her when she was a congressional staffer.
Tweeden said that Franken did not apologize at the time, but that she accepted the apologies he offered on Thursday.
« People make mistakes and of course he knew he made a mistake, » Tweeden said in an earlier press conference. « So yes, I do accept that apology. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t accept his apology. »

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