Former President George H.W. Bush apologized for touching an actress from behind in what he says was an attempted joke.
Actress Heather Lind accused the 93-year-old ex-president of touching her without consent during a photo opportunity three years ago for a television show, reported New York Daily News.
“He didn’t shake my hand," Lind said in a now-deleted Instagram post. "He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again. Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say ‘not again.’ His security guard told me I shouldn’t have stood next to him for the photo.”
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Heather Lind (Instagram)[/caption]
The photo shoot was a promotional event for the AMC series, "American Revolutionary War drama Turn: Washington's Spies," and she decided to speak out after seeing Bush photographed alongside the four other living ex-presidents for a hurricane benefit.
“I found it disturbing because I recognize the respect ex-presidents are given for having served," Lind added. "And I feel pride and reverence toward many of the men in the photo. But when I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo."
The former president apologized but did not deny the allegations.
"President Bush would never — under any circumstance — intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologizes if his attempt at humor offended Ms. Lind," his spokesman said.
