Gore Incident Silenced for Four Years

Authorities in Oregon have confirmed a tabloid report that former Vice President Al Gore was investigated four years ago after a masseuse accused him of "unwanted sexual contact" at a Portland hotel, but the case was not pursued because of a lack of evidence. How the incident avoided any coverage in the National press at the time was not disclosed.

The Portland Police Bureau released a statement Wednesday addressing accusations made in 2006, saying the woman was called to Gore's room at Hotel Lucia in October of that year to give him a massage (alone). The police statement came in response to a report earlier in the day in the National Enquirer. (The National Enquirer is the only paper that initially reported Senator Edwards was fathering a "love child" with his mistress at the same time he was running for President.)

According to the police, a local attorney contacted investigators "and said he had a client that wanted to report an unwanted sexual contact by Mr. Gore." But the alleged victim declined to be interviewed by detectives and the attorney told the police months later "that they were pursuing civil litigation."

A spokesperson for the Gore family declined to comment Wednesday.

The Enquirer story comes three weeks after Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, announced they were separating after 40 years of marriage. See Chick's THE ROYAL AFFAIR.