Two More Women Accuse Sen. Al Franken of Groping

Sen. Al Franken with head down and face covered
BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

Two more women have accused Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) of groping them during photo opportunities.

HuffPost reported Wednesday night that the two women, who remained anonymous, claimed the Minnesota senator touched them inappropriately during campaign events for his 2008 U.S. Senate run.

“My story is eerily similar to Lindsay Menz’s story,” the first woman said, referring to the woman who claimed last week that Franken grabbed her rear at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010. “He grabbed my buttocks during a photo op.”

The first woman added that she had been motivated to share her story because she feels Franken is a “serial groper.”

“I saw him and asked if we could take a photo together for my mother, and we stood next to each other,” she said. “And down his hand went.”

The second woman claimed that Franken not only groped her, but suggested the two have sex in a bathroom.

“My immediate reaction was disgust,” she told HuffPost. “But my secondary reaction was disappointment. I was excited to be there and to meet him. And so to have that happen really deflated me. It felt like: ‘Is this really the person who is going to be in a position of power to represent our community?’”

Franken responded to the latest wave of allegations by claiming he does not recall the events.

“It’s difficult to respond to anonymous accusers, and I don’t remember those campaign events,” Franken said in a statement.

Franken released a statement apologizing for his behavior after Menz and journalist Leeann Tweeden accused the Minnesota senator of sexual harassment. Franken also called for the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate his conduct.

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