Gore Accused of Sexual Misconduct in 2006
The temperature may be rising for former Vice President Al Gore who was accused by a massage therapist of sexual misconduct.
The woman contacted police in late 2006, after her alleged "unwanted sexual contact" with Al Gore who was in Portland, OR to deliver a speech on climate change, the Associated Press reports.
The Oregon woman claims she was sexually attacked by Gore at a hotel where he tried to have sex with her during a massage appointment.
Although she contacted police in 2006, she refused to be interviewed by detectives and did not want the investigation to proceed.
In 2009, she contacted police again and gave a statement about the alleged sexual misconduct.
But, after detectives interviewed the woman, they determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations of sexual misconduct.
Although Gore has been accused of sexual misconduct in 2006, he has not been charged.
Generally, before a criminal accusation results in criminal charges, there is an arrest and the completion of the police report that follows the arrest. The prosecutor then reads the police report and reviews the investigation materials and decides whether or not the arrested should be charged with a crime.
Alternatively, the prosecutor can go to a grand jury and ask them to decide what criminal charges should be filed (an indictment).
Prosecutors also can elect to not pursue the matter. They not only have a lot of discretion regarding whether or not to file, but also regarding which of many possible crimes a person should be charged with (including a lesser charge).
In this case, if the massage therapist and the Portland Police Bureau wish to pursue the possibility of a criminal charge and prosecution, additional investigation by the Bureau will be necessary.
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