Neither Kaiser nor I wanted to cover this follow-up to the Enquirer’s story about a masseuse accusing former Vice President Al Gore of sexual assault. We’re covering it, obviously, although I doubt much will come of this story. The details in the original story are both ridiculous and disturbing. Last year, a masseuse claimed that she was sexually assaulted by Gore at a hotel in Portland, Oregon, when she came to his room for an in-house call. The alleged incident occurred in October, 2006. In a statement to police taken in January, 2009, the masseuse said that Gore was aggressive and inappropriate in his pursuit of her, forcing her hands down his pants, rubbing up against her, and flipping her over to lay on top of her on the bed. There’s the question of why it took the woman so long to come forward, but Radar Online claims that she did report the incident to police soon after it happened and that police decided to pursue the case for some reason last year. The case was closed at that time, but has recently been reopened now that it’s received so much publicity. The massage therapist has also decided to go public with her real name and identity.

Portland police have re-opened their probe into a sexual assault case from 2006 involving former Vice President Al Gore and licensed massage therapist Molly Hagerty.

As RadarOnline.com has previously reported, the massage therapist, 54, gave a statement to police last year, in which she described an encounter with Gore at a luxury hotel in Portland, Oregon in October 2006.

Hagerty has claimed that the former Vice President repeatedly attempted to have sex with her at the hotel. In her statement, she called Gore a “crazed sex poodle.”

The Portland Police Department would not make specific comments regarding the investigation.

“Consistent with our policy regarding open investigations, the Police Bureau will not be commenting on any additional specifics regarding this case at this time,” the department said.

In a statement released Thursday, a Gore family spokesperson issued a strongly worded denial.

“Further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr. Gore,” family spokesperson Kalee Kreider told People.

“Mr. Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago.

“He stands by that denial.”

[From Radar]

I listened to some of the police tapes of the woman reading a statement about the alleged attack, they’re available in two parts here, and she sounds somewhat believable. It’s hard to tell, though, and it’s suspicious that she goes into so much minute detail. Some of the things she said were over the top. For instance “I surveyed the two rooms briefly to determine which offered the maximum space and warmth, etc. for a massage session. He suggested the bedroom but I chose the main room, which was larger… more room for me to move about the massage table… it had the warmth and lighting ambiance of a gas fireplace which is ideal for massaging near in the late part of October in Portland.”

Radar reports that she contradicted herself at some points in her story when the police questioned her. She also used strange colloquialisms when describing the incident, saying she called Gore a “crazed sex poodle” and a “big lummox” for instance. The most damning detail, though, is that the woman reportedly wanted to sell her story for $1 million. A friend backs up her story though and claims the masseuse is “not out for money.” The National Enquirer also denies paying her, and says they found the story through a tip.

I found her testimony strange, way too long, and kind of bragging about what a great masseuse she was. She went into such agonizing detail about minor massage and body issues. She charges over $500 an hour so she presumably knows what she’s doing. Is she telling the truth, though?

Maybe this happened, but unless the pants this woman saved have any of Gore’s seminal fluid on them we might never know. I doubt the police will figure it out, either.

Update: The print edition of the National Enquirer is more clear when it comes to the timeline of when the alleged incident was reported and why it took so long to come to light. Here’s an excerpt from their story on that. It also includes some quotes from the therapist, who chose to come forward with her real name, Molly Hagerty, and be photographed. She said “Al Gore is a pervert and sexual predator. He needs to be stopped… He turned from Mr. New Age into a pervert.”

Hagerty reported the encounter to Portland police in 2006, but after she and her attorney canceled multiple interviews, her lawyer said they would pursue the matter in civil court, and police dropped the issue.

Still seething, the woman – who had worked as a licensed massage therapist for 15 years – went back to police in 2009, and they did an extensive interview with her, which they recently released. No charges were brought against Gore – but police have indicated they would reopen the case if new evidence emerges. [Ed note: the case has been reopened, see story above.]

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, July 12, 2010]