Al Gore accused of seeking massage sex

A massage therapist accused former vice-president Al Gore of "unwanted sexual contact" at a hotel in October 2006, but no charges were filed due to lack of evidence.

Michael Schrunk, the Multnomah County District Attorney, said on Wednesday that an attorney representing the woman contacted police in late 2006. Mr Schrunk said the unidentified woman did not want the investigation to proceed.

The woman, however, contacted police in January 2009 and gave a statement, saying Mr Gore tried to have sex with her during an appointment at the upmarket Hotel Lucia, where the politician was reportedly registered as "Mr Stone". The National Enquirer first reported the allegations on Wednesday.

The case reopened in January 2009. Detectives interviewed the woman but determined there was insufficient evidence. In a transcript of the interview, the massage therapist said that she was doing abdominal work on Mr Gore when he started to moan and demanded she go lower. "I was shocked, and I did not massage beyond what is considered a safe, nonsexual area of the abdomen," she said. "He further insisted and acted angry."

The woman said Mr Gore grabbed her hand and shoved it toward his pubic area and she alleged he later tried to have sex with her. Kalee Kreide, a Gore family spokeswoman, said the former vice-president would not comment. Mr Gore and his wife announced their separation on 1 June.