Al Gore Sexual Assault Case Reopened

Portland police have decided to re-open the investigation into allegations that Al Gore sexually assaulted massage therapist Molly Hagerty. And the Gore camp is now issuing a firm denial.

Hagerty canceled two appointments to meet with the police in 2006, when the alleged incident took place. In January 2009, she gave a detailed statement to police, but they decided there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed. The police hasn’t said why they’re reopening the case: “Consistent with our policy regarding open investigations, the Police Bureau will not be commenting on any additional specifics regarding this case at this time.”

After initially refusing to respond to the charges, a Gore spokeswoman is now denying them full-on:

Kalee Kreider, a spokeswoman for Gore, said the former vice president “unequivocally and emphatically” denied making unwanted sexual advances toward the woman and that he welcomed the investigation.
“Further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr. Gore,” Kreider said.
She also said “the Gores cannot comment on every defamatory, misleading and inaccurate story generated by tabloids.”

Hagerty has said she has physical evidence to back up her claims; if this is the case, it’s not clear why the case would have been dismissed in 2009 for lack of evidence. Now that the Portland police are operating under a tabloid microscope, we’ll see what they turn up.

Portland Police Reopen Gore Sex Assault Investigation [AP]
Al Gore Sex Assault Investigation To Be Opened, Say Portland Police [NYP]