An attorney hired by Minnesota Democrats to investigate domestic abuse allegations against Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison reportedly concluded the accuser’s claim was “unsubstantiated.”
Ellison’s ex-girlfriend, liberal activist Karen Monahan, accused Ellison of physically and emotionally abusing her during their years-long relationship.
Ellison, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, has been dogged by Monahan’s accusations in his campaign for Minnesota attorney general. (RELATED: Minnesota Democrats’ Own Lawyer’s Partner Handling ‘Independent’ Keith Ellison Investigation)
Monahan’s refusal to produce a video she claimed proved Ellison’s alleged abuse led Minnesota attorney Susan Ellingstad “to conclude that the allegation is unsubstantiated,” according to a draft version of Ellingstad’s report obtained by The Associated Press.
“An allegation standing alone is not necessarily sufficient to conclude that conduct occurred, particularly where the accusing party declines to produce supporting evidence that she herself asserts exists,” Ellingstad wrote, according to The AP.
“She has thus repeatedly placed the existence of the video front and center to her allegations, but then has refused to disclose it.”
Ellingstad is the legal partner of Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s (DFL’s) own attorney, Charlie Nauen.
Ellison’s Republican opponent, Doug Wardlow, previously cast doubt on the validity of Ellingstad’s investigation.
“Keith Ellison is being investigated by the party that endorsed his candidacy after multiple allegations of domestic violence. Any claim that this is an independent investigation is laughable,” Wardlow previously told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
“The investigation report, which was released today without our knowledge by someone outside of our organization, was unable to substantiate the claim of physical abuse made by Ms. Monahan,” DFL chairman Ken Martin said in a Monday statement to NBC News.
“For the purpose of objectivity and getting all of the facts regarding these allegations, we have decided to forward the information in the investigation to local authorities in order to let them review the contents and determine whether further investigation is warranted,” Martin said.
This story has been updated to include additional information.
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