Sexual Abuse / Sexual Harassment
July 30, 2010 - District Attorney Michael Schunk said that former Vice President Al Gore will not be prosecuted over allegations that he groped and assaulted a masseuse in his Portland, Oregon hotel room in 2006. He said the case had multiple problems and would not be appropriate for criminal prosecution. According to reports, there were questions about the accuser's claims from the beginning. Although the red-haired woman, Molly Hagerty, said she was terrified of Gore, she admitted calling him after the encounter and told him to "dream of redheaded women." She also told the hotel she appreciated the business referrals it gave her and did not tell them about any problems with Gore just two nights earlier. Detectives investigated the woman's accusations in 2006 and again in 2009 but did not pursue the case because of what they described as her lack of cooperation and erratic behavior. She waited two months to report the incident to police and then canceled several meetings until finally meeting with detectives three years after the incident. Gore denied the allegations, including during questioning on July 22 by local detectives. If you or a loved one have been the victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault, please contact an Oakland personal injury attorney from our office for a free consultation.