Another woman accuses US Senator of improper conduct
: A second woman has accused Minnesota Senator Al Franken of improper conduct, saying he put his hand on her bottom as they posed for a picture at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010 — after he had begun his career in the Senate.
Lindsay Menz told CNN for a report broadcast on Monday that the interaction made her feel “gross.” She said she immediately told her husband that Franken had “grabbed” her bottom, and she said she posted about it on Facebook.
Menz’s allegation comes days after a Los Angeles broadcaster, Leeann Tweeden, accused Franken of forcibly kissing her during a 2006 USO tour. Franken already faced a Senate ethics investigation over Tweeden’s allegation, but the Menz allegation is potentially more damaging for Franken because it would be behavior that occurred while he was in office.
Franken, a Democrat, told CNN he didn’t remember taking the photo with Menz, but said in a statement to the network that he feels badly that she felt disrespected.
Franken told CNN: “I feel badly that Ms. Menz came away from our interaction feeling disrespected.”
NEW YORK TIMES SUSPENDS REPORTER
ST PAUL
The New York Times has suspended White House reporter Glenn Thrush while it investigates charges he made unwanted advances on young women while he worked as a reporter at Politico and the Times.
Laura McGann, a Politico colleague of Thrush’s, wrote on Vox on Monday that Thrush kissed her and placed his hand on her thigh one night in a bar, after urging another person who had been sitting with them to leave.
The Times said “the alleged behaviour is very concerning” and not in keeping with its standards. It supported Thrush’s decision to enter a substance abuse programme. Thrush told Vox he apologised to any woman who felt uncomfortable in his presence. AGENCIES