text: Portland police said they decided to reopen its investigation into sexual assault allegations against former Vice President Al Gore after finding "procedural" mistakes in how the bureau handled the case in 2009. 
   
   The bureau's command-level supervisors should have reviewed the case and should have made the decision on whether the investigation should move forward when the complainant came to them last year -- the second time she went to police, Portland Police Chief Michael Reese said in a statement. 
   
   Although Portland massage therapist Molly Hagerty read a statement to detectives detailing accusations that Gore groped and kissed her during an October 2006 late-night massage at the Hotel Lucia, police never contacted Gore. In addition, detectives failed to consult with the Multnomah County district attorney's office on the matter. 
   
   Reese said the decision to reopen the case was solely the bureau's. 
   
   
   
   "It is our responsibility to both parties involved to conduct a thorough, fair and timely investigation," Reese said in his statement, adding that the bureau will not be commenting on the case during the investigation. "We ask for the public’s patience as we let the facts of the investigation guide us and ensure the integrity of the investigation. I have asked Detectives to assign appropriate resources in the interest of conducting a complete investigation in an expedited manner." 
   
   
   
   The case began in 2006 when an attorney representing Hagerty contacted Portland police. At that time, detectives tried to meet with Hagerty on three separate occasions, but the meetings were all cancelled by her attorney. The lawyer then told detectives that Hagerty was pursuing a civil lawsuit, the police statement said. Although police consulted the District Attorney's office at that time, the case was cleared due to Hagerty's lack of cooperation. 
   
   -- Helen Jung 
   
   ||||| Portland Police Chief Michael Reese just released a statement on the Al Gore sexual assault allegations saying there were “procedural issues” with the original investigation that merited re-opening the case. 
   
   “In reviewing this case, we have determined there were procedural issues with the 2009 investigation that merit re-opening the case,” Reese said. “There should have been command level review at the time on the specifics of this case and decisions on whether the investigation should go forward.” 
   
   Remember, the police declined to pursue an investigation of the 2006 incident after a 2009 interview with the woman who accused Gore of sexual assault, Molly Hagerty. At the time they cited “insufficient evidence.” But now Reese appears to be saying that call should have been made at a higher level of the department. 
   
   Here’s what Reese has to say about how the investigation will unfold: 
   
   “It is our responsibility to both parties involved to conduct a thorough, fair and timely investigation. As with any open investigation, it is inappropriate for the Police Bureau to comment on any specifics regarding the investigation. We ask for the public’s patience as we let the facts of the investigation guide us and ensure the integrity of the investigation. I have asked Detectives to assign appropriate resources in the interest of conducting a complete investigation in an expedited manner.” 
   
   The full statement is below.
target: – Portland police say they reopened the Al Gore case because they found "procedural issues" with the 2009 investigation, reports the Oregonian. In a statement, the chief says detectives who dismissed the allegations should have consulted with higher-ups before doing so. "There should have been command level review at the time on the specifics of this case and decisions on whether the investigation should go forward." The full statement (read it at Talking Points Memo) notes that the masseuse first contacted police in 2006 but then called off three subsequent scheduled meetings. The department dropped the case, deeming it futile without her cooperation. The woman, Molly Hagerty, then contacted the department again in 2009, but police (apparently below "command level") opted not to pursue the case after questioning her.