Masseuse accuses Al Gore of sexual advances
Source: Agencies |
June 25, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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A MASSAGE therapist accused former United States Vice President Al Gore of "unwanted sexual contact" at a hotel in Portland, Oregon, during an October 2006 visit, but no charges were filed due to lack of evidence, law officials said on Wednesday.
An attorney representing the woman contacted police in late 2006, said Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk. Schrunk said the woman - who has not been identified - refused to be interviewed by detectives and did not want the investigation to proceed.
The woman, however, contacted police in January 2009 and gave a statement, saying Gore tried to have sex with her during an appointment at the upmarket Hotel Lucia.
The National Enquirer reported the allegations on Wednesday, saying the accuser was a 54-year-old woman.
Gore family spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said the former vice president has no comment. Gore and his wife announced on June 1 they were separating.
The case reopened in January 2009. Detectives interviewed the woman but determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations, Portland police said in a news release.
In a transcript of the interview released by police, the massage therapist said she was doing requested abdominal work on Gore when he started to moan and demanded she go lower.
"I was shocked, and I did not massage beyond what is considered a safe, nonsexual area of the abdomen," she said. "He further insisted and acted angry, becoming verbally sharp and loud.
"I went into much deeper shock as I realized it appeared he was demanding sexual favors or sexual behaviors."
The woman said Gore grabbed her hand and shoved it toward his pubic area. She alleged he later tried to have sex with her and began caressing her before she squirmed out of his grasp.
"I did not immediately call the police as I feared being made into a public spectacle and my reputation being destroyed," she said.
Detective Mary Wheat said the woman this month asked for a copy of her statement and planned to take her case to the media.
An attorney representing the woman contacted police in late 2006, said Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk. Schrunk said the woman - who has not been identified - refused to be interviewed by detectives and did not want the investigation to proceed.
The woman, however, contacted police in January 2009 and gave a statement, saying Gore tried to have sex with her during an appointment at the upmarket Hotel Lucia.
The National Enquirer reported the allegations on Wednesday, saying the accuser was a 54-year-old woman.
Gore family spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said the former vice president has no comment. Gore and his wife announced on June 1 they were separating.
The case reopened in January 2009. Detectives interviewed the woman but determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations, Portland police said in a news release.
In a transcript of the interview released by police, the massage therapist said she was doing requested abdominal work on Gore when he started to moan and demanded she go lower.
"I was shocked, and I did not massage beyond what is considered a safe, nonsexual area of the abdomen," she said. "He further insisted and acted angry, becoming verbally sharp and loud.
"I went into much deeper shock as I realized it appeared he was demanding sexual favors or sexual behaviors."
The woman said Gore grabbed her hand and shoved it toward his pubic area. She alleged he later tried to have sex with her and began caressing her before she squirmed out of his grasp.
"I did not immediately call the police as I feared being made into a public spectacle and my reputation being destroyed," she said.
Detective Mary Wheat said the woman this month asked for a copy of her statement and planned to take her case to the media.
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