Teen accepts Conn. lawmaker's lewd remark apology

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 17-year-old girl at the receiving end of a lewd remark from state Rep. Ernest Hewett has accepted an apology from the lawmaker.

The teenager was testifying during a budget hearing when Hewett made a reference to "a snake" he had at his desk.

The five-term Democrat from New London was stripped of his deputy speaker title over the remark, which was seen as sexually harassing.

The girl had been testifying on behalf of the Connecticut Science Center's youth programs. She had said the program helped her overcome her shyness and get over her fear of snakes.

Center president Matt Fleury said Friday that he passed an apology from Hewett on to the girl and she accepted it.

Hewett said he understood how his remark could be misconstrued.