Al Gore Case Re-Opened By Portland Police; Therapist Claims Sex Assault

Portland police will investigate a massage therapist's claim that former Vice President Al Gore groped her and made other unwanted sexual advances in a hotel in October 2006, The Oregonian reported Wednesday.

It was unclear why the police decided to re-open the case after stating last week there was insufficient evidence to pursue it.

A Gore family spokeswoman released a statement disputing the therapist's accusation.

"Further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr. Gore,'' said Kalee Kreider, the Gore family spokeswoman. "The Gores cannot comment on every defamatory, misleading, and inaccurate story generated by tabloids. Mr. Gore unequivocally and emphatically denied this accusation when he first learned of its existence three years ago. He stands by that denial.''

The New York Post carried this statement from police: "The Portland Police Bureau has made the decision to re-open the case regarding the allegations brought forward against Mr. Al Gore. 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 therapist first filed a complaint through her attorney two months after the alleged 2006 encounter, but then refused to meet with detectives on three occasions, The Oregonian reported. But in January 2009, she presented a detailed statement to Portland sexual assault investigators.

"She told investigators that Gore groped her, kissed her and made unwanted sexual advances during a late-night massage session in a suite at the upscale Hotel Lucia," according to The Oregonian. "She said she told two friends and kept the clothes she wore that night, including her black pants with stains on them. But Portland police didn't contact any of the woman's friends, obtain the potential evidence or interview anyone at the hotel, records show."