Al Franken Agrees to Ethics Investigation Into Himself After Groping Allegation

After first dismissing the sexual misconduct allegation against him as little more than a joke gone wrong, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) issued a longer statement unequivocally apologizing for his actions and saying he will cooperate with an ethics investigation into his behavior. “I look at [a photograph of himself grabbing at Leeann Tweeden’s chest] now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn’t funny. It’s completely inappropriate. It’s obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, what’s more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by it.” Franken added: “I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.” The senator concluded: “The truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories.”