Woman Claims Al Franken Groped Her In New Allegation

MINNEAPOLIS — Nearly two years after bombshell sexual misconduct accusations surfaced against former Sen. Al Franken — ultimately leading to his resignation — a new allegation of groping has emerged.

On Monday, New York Magazine published an account from a former staffer who has worked with Democratic campaigns and progressive organizations. The woman spoke to the magazine on the condition of anonymity.

"I was just out of college in my first job, working for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray," she told the magazine.

"Al Franken was the guest speaker at an event in 2006. I was working the photo line, and he pulled me in. Murray said, 'Let's take the picture.'"

Franken then grabbed her buttocks, the woman said.

"It's so violating. And then he gives me a little squeeze on my buttock, and I am bright red. I don’t say anything at the time, but I felt deeply, deeply uncomfortable. It was such a confusing experience. At first I didn’t take it all that seriously."

The accuser told the magazine she decided not to add her voice to the eight others who publicly accused Franken of harassment and misconduct back in 2017.

"I am the biggest of hypocrites. I work in a position where I am constantly trying to get people to tell their stories so we can make systemic change. But I’ve worked so hard to amass this small amount of power that I’m so terrified of that being taken away."

Franken responded to the new allegation:

"Two years ago, I would have sworn that I’d never done anything to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but it’s clear that I must have been doing something. As I’ve said before, I feel terrible that anyone came away from an interaction with me feeling bad."

Allegations against Franken began to come out in November 2017, when radio host Leeann Tweeden accused him of groping her during a USO event in 2006. He later apologized for his behavior and said he "let a lot of people down."

He ultimately resigned from the Senate in January 2018.

The two-term incumbent was first elected to the Senate in 2008 when he defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman by just 312 votes. He had previously worked as a comic on "Saturday Night Live."

Franken is currently planning to host his own show on Sirius XM radio.