Portland Police Reopen 4-Year-Old Investigation into Sex Abuse Charges
Masseuse claimed former VP subjected her to "unwanted sexual touching" in 2006.
July 1, 2010— -- Portland police offered no official explanation for their decision last night to reopen a 4-year-old closed case into sex abuse allegations against former Vice President Al Gore.
But law enforcement sources tell ABC News that longtime Portland District Attorney Michael Schrunk ordered the case reopened this week after public criticism of the department's handling of the initial investigation, which was dismissed for "insufficient evidence."
The decision came as Gore's accuser Molly Hagerty, a 54-year-old licensed massage therapist went public for the first time, demanding the case be reopened. Hagerty made her allegations in an exclusive interview in "The National Enquirer" which routinely pays sources for interviews.
While Gore has acknowledged receiving a massage, he has unequivocally denied any allegations of sex abuse. His spokesperson issued a statement overnight saying "further investigation will only benefit Mr. Gore."
Hagerty, who describes herself as a licensed massage therapist catering to VIP clients in music and sports, met Gore when she answered a late-night call for a massage at a luxury downtown Portland hotel, The Lucia, in Oct 2006.
In an audio-taped statement given several years later to Portland police, Hagerty described her surprise to find out her VIP client was Al Gore.
"I knocked on the door. Al Gore opened the door and I introduced myself saying, 'Hello I'm your massage therapist.' I said, 'how should I call you?' He said, 'Call me Al.' He outstretched his arms to wrap me in an embrace."
But then later that evening as she proceeded with the massage, Hagerty told police in a 73-page statement, Gore began to tear at her clothes and demand sexual acts.
"He immediately flipped me flat on my back and threw his whole body facedown, over top of me, pinned me down and outweighing me quite a bit."
Inexplicably, Hagerty waited six weeks before filing her complaint with police through attorney Randall Vogt. She then further undermined her credibility by cancelling appointments to speak personally with detectives.
It was not until nearly 3 years later that Haggerty reappeared to press charges, bringing a prepared written statement which she read aloud to investigators who were then finally able to question her.
She also brought with her the pants she had worn that evening, carefully preserved in a safe deposit box, according to her account in the National Enquirer.
But detectives were skeptical of her story and declined to pursue the case citing "insufficient evidence" and instead referred her to victim's counseling services.
This morning, the former Vice President's office said he did not plan further comment on the matter and had no public events scheduled.