Female staffers of 'Saturday Night Live' release surprising statement about Al Franken

Female staff members of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" released a statement Tuesday about the sexual allegations against former cast member and current Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.).

Here's the statement in full:

"We feel compelled to stand up for Al Franken, whom we have all had the pleasure of working with over the years on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL)," the statement began.

"What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate for him to apologize to Ms [Leeann] Tweeden, and to the public. In our experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant,” it continued.

“That is why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of working with him," they added, "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.”

"We send our support and gratitude to Al and his family this Thanksgiving and holiday season," the statement concluded.

Here's what the statement is missing:

A glaring omission in the statement is any reference to a second accuser that alleged the senator had groped her while taking a photo at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010. Lindsay Menz, a 33-year-old woman from Texas, told CNN that when she went to pose for the photo, Franken “pulled me in really close, like awkward close, and as my husband took the picture, he put his hand full-fledged on my rear. It was wrapped tightly around my butt cheek.”

Franken issued an apology to broadcaster Leeann Tweeden, but he responded less definitively to the second accuser, saying merely that he "felt badly" she felt disrespected.

“I take thousands of photos at the state fair surrounded by hundreds of people, and I certainly don’t remember taking this picture,” Franken said. “I feel badly that Ms. Menz came away from our interaction feeling disrespected.”