Tipper Gore may have filed for divorce from her husband of 40 years, former Vice President Al Gore, but she wants us to know that it’s not because of a particular scandal that’s come to light. A “friend” of the PMRC founder tells People Magazine that she’s not buying the story of a masseuse who claims that Al attacked her, that she was aware of the story when it first surfaced years ago and that it had nothing to do with her filing:

On June 30 Portland, Ore., police reopened an investigation into Hagerty’s allegations, citing “procedural issues” with how her statement to police last year was handled.

A friend of Tipper’s, speaking exclusively to PEOPLE for the new issue on newsstands Friday, sets the record straight for the former Second Lady, now trying to make a quiet new life for herself in California: “Tipper has known about these allegations since Al found out about them himself. She has known that massage has been very much a part of his health regimen for many, many, many years. She doesn’t believe any of the allegations that this woman [Hagerty] is making and they played no role whatsoever in their decision to separate.”

The friend says Tipper is unnerved to find herself back in the glare just after the couple’s June 1 announcement of their separation was supposed to afford her a life outside of the spotlight that comes with her husband’s public-policy work.

“She so wants a private life,” her friend says. “But she feels strongly that people know she doesn’t believe anything this woman is saying. She remains committed to Al and his reputation.”

Further debunking all the speculation of a contentious breakup to their marriage, the friend points out that Al and Tipper were together on a weeklong family vacation last month, just two weeks after going public with their split.

“They were on a lake in Tennessee, with all the kids and grandkids. Doing lake stuff – waterskiing, cooking out,” says the friend close to the Gores. “They continue to be a tight family. That’s not going to change.”

[From People]

I listened to the testimony of the masseuse who alleged that Al Gore attacked her. She didn’t sound particularly scared and instead went on at length about what a great massage therapist she was and how she was at the top of her field. You understand that she wanted to establish that she was professional and isn’t the type to give happy endings, but it was outrageous how long she went on with technical and unnecessary details. It just seems fishy to me.

To hear the masseuse talk to police about the alleged incident go to this audio file (it’s the second of two very long parts available as links through this page) and scroll to 5:00 in. She talks about calling him a “crazed sex poodle” and says she told it to him in a Texas accent. When she has to recount details of Gore allegedly attacking her, she reads the notes from her last meeting with police as if she needs help remembering what happened and how he acted. She claims she was fearful, but she sounds annoyed. Listen to her from about 8:30 – 9:30 saying “I was really scared.” She sounds bored! She gives so many minute details about her life but again when it comes to Gore attacking her she has to look at what she told police in her last statement. (Disclosure: I have not listened to the entire audio file as it’s extremely long. The parts I’ve heard are more of the same.) Earlier reports had the masseuse trying to sell her story for $1 million, although The Enquirer claims they have not paid her.

Do I think that Al Gore could have tried to solicit some kind of sex from a masseuse? Yes, of course he could have. It’s just that unless she has hard evidence (i.e. seminal fluid on the pants she has saved – I know you guys hate that word but I have to use it here) I don’t think we’ll ever know the true story. I don’t blame Tipper for backing up Al.