WASHINGTON  (AP)  A Los Angeles radio host says Democratic Sen. Al Franken forcibly kissed her during a 2006 USO tour. The host says Franken posed for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept.

Leeann Tweeden accuses Minnesota’s Franken in an essay on the website of California radio station KABC, where she anchors a morning talk show. Tweeden says Franken wrote a skit for the pair during a 2006 USO tour to the Middle East and insisted they practice a kiss during rehearsal.

Tweeden says she tried to resist but says Franken forced himself on her and stuck his tongue in her mouth. A copy of the photo is posted with the article.

Franken says he doesn’t remember a USO Tour skit “in the same way” as a fellow performer who alleges he kissed her against her will. He also says he shouldn’t have posed for a photo with his hands on her breasts as she slept.

 

Franken is calling for an ethics investigation into his own actions

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says sexual misconduct allegations against Minnesota Sen. Al Franken are “troubling” and he hopes and expects that the Senate Ethics Committee will fully investigate.

The White House says the Senate is acting appropriately by reviewing complaints against Democratic Sen. Al Franken after allegation.

The USO says a claim that Democratic Sen. Al Franken sexually harassed a fellow performer during a 2006 tour hadn’t been reported to the organization.

The USO, or United Service Organization, has long organized entertainment tours to serve military members overseas. Before he was elected a senator from Minnesota, Franken participated in four tours to four countries from 2003 to 2006.