Al Franken 'Can't Say' He Didn't Grope Women In 'Crowded Chaotic Situations'

Senator Al Franken admitted that in "crowded chaotic situations" he could have placed his hand on women's butts and acknowledged there might be additional reports against him.

"I can't say that it hasn't happened," Franken told local news station WCCO on Sunday, one day before he returned to work in the Senate. "In crowded chaotic situations, I can't say that I have not done that. I am very sorry if these women experienced that."

The Minnesota Democrat also told the station that he will not step down from his job despite accusations from four women that range from groping to forcible kissing. Lindsay Menz said Franken grabbed her butt during a 2010 photo at the Minnesota State Fair — a claim that he did not dispute but said he does not specifically "remember" because he takes thousands of photos.

Related: Al Franken Accused of Groping Woman at Minnesota State Fair

Franken said he will cooperate with an ethics investigation into his behavior, which Republican and Democrat leaders have agreed is necessary. Franken sidestepped a question about whether there will be more women who step forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct and whether he is aware of other sexual misconduct accusations.

"If you had told me two weeks ago that women were going to come forward and say I disrespected them, I would have said no," Franken said.

Franken did not address any specific groping incident after the WCCO reporter pointed out that people will find it difficult to believe that the Democrat would not realize that he was grabbing someone's butt. The senator was previously known for spotlighting women's issues and advocating for women's health.

"I can understand how some people would see it that way," Franken responded.

The accusations were sparked after Leeann Tweeden, a radio news anchor said Franken forcibly kissed and groped her in 2006 on a USO trip to Afghanistan. Tweeden said she felt "disgusted and violated" by Franken's behavior but didn't want to "cause trouble" in the "middle of a war zone." Tweeden told others on the tour about Franken's actions, eventually sharing an account as a #MeToo story that included a photo of Franken miming groping her.

"The picture was inexcusable and that is what I am most ashamed for," Franken said.