Ellison calls for U.S. House investigation of himself
"I am taking this step now because I am innocent and eager to see this entire matter resolved," Ellison said in a statement released to the news media.
Ellison has repeatedly denied the abuse allegation by
His request for an investigation comes as
It's unclear what kind of consequences Ellison could face from a House ethics investigation. He is leaving
Meanwhile, the results of a separate investigation into Monahan's allegation are about to come out. The Minnesota DFL hired attorney
After her allegation emerged in August, the
"All allegations of domestic abuse are disturbing and should be taken seriously. We are working with the
The DFL's choice of Ellingstad to conduct the investigation was met with derision from many who said she is not independent, including
Ellingstad is a partner at
Ellison's statement Wednesday called Ellingstad an independent attorney and said he has complied fully with that investigation.
"These allegations have lingered in the public sphere, and remain unsubstantiated. I welcome an investigation by the House to allow us to move on," his statement said. Ellison first released his call for an investigation to
A number of
Republican
Monahan's allegation first surfaced in August, days before the primary election. At the time, many Democratic candidates called for an investigation and said if the allegation is true he should step down and end his campaign.
Nonetheless, the DFL endorsed Ellison after the primary. At a news conference shortly after the primary, DFL Chairman
"I think it's important for us to be prudent, not to jump to any conclusion, to take this allegation seriously," Martin said at the time.
When contacted by the
Regarding the Ellingstad investigation, she said she shared text messages and medical records, signed off on a release of her therapist's notes and had others with whom she talked after the incident corroborate her story.
Monahan recently posted two medical records on social media that show in 2017 she told a doctor she was in an emotionally abusive relationship. One of the records states she identified Ellison and mentioned physical abuse, but it notes she didn't have any physical injuries requiring examination in the past. She told the doctor she was fearful of retribution if she publicly identified him.
Her story first became public when her son posted about the alleged incident on Facebook in August, saying that last year he came across a video on his mother's computer of Ellison dragging his mother.
She affirmed her son's Facebook post shortly after he wrote it. Monahan said she recorded the incident, which she told
Ellison faces Republican
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