Al Franken Issues New Apology For Sexual Misconduct: 'Committed To Regaining Trust'

Sen. Al Franken, who has been accused by four women of inappropriate touching or sexual misconduct, apologized and pledged to regain the trust of Minnesota voters Thursday.

According to a report in the Star Tribune, Franken issued a statement in which he wrote, "I’ve met tens of thousands of people and taken thousands of photographs, often in crowded and chaotic situations. I’m a warm person; I hug people. I’ve learned from recent stories that in some of those encounters, I crossed a line for some women — and I know that any number is too many."

This was the third time Franken spoke since the allegations. He took the opportunity on Thanksgiving to apologize to Minnesotans for the embarrassment.

He further wrote in his statement, "Some women have found my greetings or embraces for a hug or photo inappropriate, and I respect their feelings about that. I’ve thought a lot in recent days about how that could happen, and recognize that I need to be much more careful and sensitive in these situations. I feel terribly that I’ve made some women feel badly and for that I am so sorry, and I want to make sure that never happens again."

Franken added, "and let me say again to Minnesotans that I’m sorry for putting them through this and I’m committed to regaining their trust."

Last week, radio broadcaster Leeann Tweeden from Los Angeles accused Franken of sexual misconduct and tweeted that Franken forcibly kissed and groped her during a 2006 USO tour.

Another woman on Monday accused Franken of inappropriate touching. 33-year-old Lindsay Menz, said that Franken had grabbed her buttocks while they posed for a photo at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010.

On Wednesday, two more women on conditions of anonymity accused Franken of touching them inappropriately during two different events in 2007 and 2008.

The accusations have left Franken facing a Senate ethics investigation and a debate among his supporters with regards to what level of sexual misconduct should force a politician to resign from office.

VoteRunLead, a national group that aims to elect more women to public office held a national convention in Minneapolis last weekend. Speaking at the convention, head of the group, Erin Vilardi, said, "Because Franken happens to be a good guy on some other issues, people are confused." She spoke after the first two accusations against Franken.

Earlier, in Minnesota, accusations by several women against state Sen. Dan Schoen, and state Rep. Tony Cornish, a Republican, had led both to say that they will resign.

However, a spokesman for Franken told the Star Tribune that the senator has no plans to resign. The spokesman also said that the senator, who is serving his second term, has planned to speak with the media on Sunday.

The Star Tribune reported that if Franken resigns then Gov. Mark Dayton would appoint a temporary replacement, and a special election would be held next November for his seat.