Gore cleared over masseuse claims
Source: Agencies |
August 1, 2010, Sunday
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THE case of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and the massage therapist has been closed.
Former United States Vice President Al Gore was cleared on Friday of allegations he groped and assaulted a masseuse in a luxury Portland hotel room in 2006.
A story in a tabloid newspaper led to a monthlong investigation that found no basis for prosecution on claims by Molly Hagerty, who had waited more than two years before giving detectives a statement they initially concluded "did not merit further inquiry."
Gore aides welcomed the news.
"Mr Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago," spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said. "He respects and appreciates the thorough and professional work of the Portland authorities and is pleased that this matter has now been resolved."
Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk announced the case was closed on Friday with the release of a memo that cited "contradictory evidence, conflicting witness statements, credibility issues, lack of forensic evidence and denials by Mr Gore."
Senior Deputy District Attorney Don Rees said in his memo that Hagerty and her attorneys were uncooperative, witnesses could not remember anything unusual, Hagerty failed a polygraph examination and she would not say whether she was paid by a tabloid for her story.
Hagerty had claimed unwanted sexual contact by Gore on October 24, 2006, at the Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland, including an "open-mouthed kiss, an inescapable embrace" and the fear she was "on the brink of being forcibly raped."
Gore and his attorneys met with Portland detectives in San Francisco on July 22, telling them he remembered almost nothing about Hagerty and was "completely baffled" by her statements, according to the memo.
There were questions about Hagerty's claims from the beginning.
She first contacted police in 2006 through an attorney, claiming "unwanted sexual contact" by Gore, but the attorney declined to discuss any details. Hagerty then failed to attend meetings scheduled three times with detectives, and the attorney finally said it would be handled as a civil complaint.
Nothing further was heard from Hagerty until January 2009, when she appeared at police headquarters to say she wanted to file a criminal complaint.
An interview with a detective resulted in a 67-page transcript describing the massage therapy session with Gore at the Hotel Lucia.
The memo noted that investigators determined the claims "did not merit further inquiry" and did not refer it to the district attorney's office.
Former United States Vice President Al Gore was cleared on Friday of allegations he groped and assaulted a masseuse in a luxury Portland hotel room in 2006.
A story in a tabloid newspaper led to a monthlong investigation that found no basis for prosecution on claims by Molly Hagerty, who had waited more than two years before giving detectives a statement they initially concluded "did not merit further inquiry."
Gore aides welcomed the news.
"Mr Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago," spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said. "He respects and appreciates the thorough and professional work of the Portland authorities and is pleased that this matter has now been resolved."
Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk announced the case was closed on Friday with the release of a memo that cited "contradictory evidence, conflicting witness statements, credibility issues, lack of forensic evidence and denials by Mr Gore."
Senior Deputy District Attorney Don Rees said in his memo that Hagerty and her attorneys were uncooperative, witnesses could not remember anything unusual, Hagerty failed a polygraph examination and she would not say whether she was paid by a tabloid for her story.
Hagerty had claimed unwanted sexual contact by Gore on October 24, 2006, at the Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland, including an "open-mouthed kiss, an inescapable embrace" and the fear she was "on the brink of being forcibly raped."
Gore and his attorneys met with Portland detectives in San Francisco on July 22, telling them he remembered almost nothing about Hagerty and was "completely baffled" by her statements, according to the memo.
There were questions about Hagerty's claims from the beginning.
She first contacted police in 2006 through an attorney, claiming "unwanted sexual contact" by Gore, but the attorney declined to discuss any details. Hagerty then failed to attend meetings scheduled three times with detectives, and the attorney finally said it would be handled as a civil complaint.
Nothing further was heard from Hagerty until January 2009, when she appeared at police headquarters to say she wanted to file a criminal complaint.
An interview with a detective resulted in a 67-page transcript describing the massage therapy session with Gore at the Hotel Lucia.
The memo noted that investigators determined the claims "did not merit further inquiry" and did not refer it to the district attorney's office.
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