A US army veteran has accused Senator Al Franken of groping her breast while posing for a photograph during a 2003 tour to entertain troops in Kuwait. Stephanie Kemplin, then a 27-year-old military police officer, said the incident left her feeling frozen.
Ms Kemplin told CNN that she had stood in line for a photo with Mr Franken, a longtime fan of the television programme Saturday Night Live. She recalled that he put his arm around her and groped her right breast, keeping his hand there long enough that she believed it was intentional.
In response, a spokesperson for Mr Franken said the senator 'has never intentionally engaged in this kind of conduct' and remains committed to cooperating with an ethics investigation. Earlier this week, Mr Franken publicly stated he was 'ashamed' of his past behaviour.
The accusation makes Ms Kemplin the fifth woman to allege inappropriate touching by Mr Franken, including two incidents during USO tours. The previous accuser, Leeann Tweeden, described an unwanted kiss and a photograph appearing to show Mr Franken groping her while she slept.
Mr Franken has apologised for the photograph but does not recall the encounters with other women, each of whom said he touched their buttocks during photo opportunities. The Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board criticised his apology for lacking full candour.
