Women SNL Staffers Sign Letter In Support Of Franken

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK — Three dozen women who worked with Sen. Al Franken on “Saturday Night Live” signed a letter on Tuesday in his support following sexual misconduct allegations by two women. In the letter, the women condemned Franken’s actions toward Leeann Tweeden, a radio host who accused Franken of forcibly kissing her and groping her during a USO event more than decade ago.

“What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate for him to apologize to Ms Tweeden, and to the public,” they wrote.

But they went on to back Franken, writing that none of them experienced inappropriate behavior by the comedian-turned-Senator during his tenure on the show.

“In our experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant,” they wrote. “That is why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of working with him, we would like to acknowledge that not one of us ever experienced any inappropriate behavior; and mention our sincere appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and regard.”

Several former women staffers who worked in Franken’s Senate offices in Washington and in Minnesota have also showed their support for him.

“He treated us with the utmost respect. He valued our work and our opinions and was a champion for women both in the legislation he supported and in promoting women to leadership roles in our offices," seven former staffers wrote in a letter days after the first allegation against him was made.

On Monday, a second woman came forward and accused Franken of inappropriately touching her as they posed for a photograph at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair. The SNL staffers did not mention that incident in their letter of support.

Watch: Senator Franken Accepts Ethics Probe After Accusation

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster