The woman who accused Sen. Al Franken Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenGOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district Getting tight — the psychology of cancel culture MORE of kissing and groping her without her consent in 2006 said Thursday that she believes the Minnesota Democrat's public apology was sincere and "heartfelt."

In an emotional interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Los Angeles morning radio host Leeann Tweeden said Franken's initial apology Thursday morning sounded as if it had been issued "hastily" by a staffer. But the senator's second, longer apology, she said, seemed sincere.

"That one did seem heartfelt. And I believe it, and I believe him, you know," she said. "And I honestly do believe him. I wasn't waiting for an apology from him, but I gladly accept it."

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Asked by Tapper whether she would be willing to testify as part of an Ethics Committee probe into Franken's conduct, Tweeden said that she would, if she was called to do so.

Franken himself has called for an ethics investigation into the incident, as have Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE (R-Ky) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).

In an article posted online Thursday morning, Tweeden said Franken forcibly kissed her in 2006, when the two of them were on a USO tour in the Middle East. She also revealed a photo, in which Franken can be seen groping her chest while she was asleep.

She said that she felt inspired to come forward with her account after Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) shared her own experience with sexual harassment earlier this month, when she revealed that a male chief of staff had forcibly kissed her when she was a congressional staffer.

Tweeden said that Franken did not apologize at the time, but that she accepted the apologies he offered on Thursday.

"People make mistakes and of course he knew he made a mistake," Tweeden said in an earlier press conference. "So yes, I do accept that apology. There's no reason why I shouldn't accept his apology."