Rep. Keith Ellison is denying allegations of domestic abuse by former girlfriend, Karen Monahan, who says the Democratic congressman from Minnesota often violently abused her during their relationship, and that there were videos to prove it.
“Karen and I were in a long-term relationship which ended in 2016, and I still care deeply for her well-being,” Ellison said in a statement. “This video does not exist because I never behaved in this way, and any characterization otherwise is false.”
Ellison came close to being named chairman of the Democratic National Committee, but ultimately lost out to former secretary of Labor, Tom Perez, last year. He currently serves as the number two man on the committee and has become an omnipresent liberal talking head on cable news.
Ellison’s reps did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
The allegations first came to light after Monahan’s son, Austin Aslim Monahan, published a lengthy Facebook post detailing photos and videos he says he found on his mother’s computer.
“I found over 100 text and twitters messages and video almost 2 min long that showed Keith Ellison dragging my mama off the bed by her feet, screaming and calling her a “f–ing bitch” and telling her to get the f– out of his house,” he wrote.
“The messages I found, were mixed with him consistently telling my mom he wanted her back, he missed her, he knew he f–ed up and we wished he could do things different, he would victim shaming, bully her, and threaten her if she went public. I text him and told him I know what you did to my mama and a few other things,” he added.
https://www.facebook.com/Aslimsed/posts/2319161644777680
Austin Monahan did not immediately respond to request for comment.
In subsequent statements to local media and ThinkProgress, Karen Monahan confirmed her son’s account but said she would not release videos.
“You know this is true. You know what you did,” she told ThinkProgress, addressing Ellison directly. “I didn’t want to mention the video or the texts,” she added. “I’m not here to prove to anyone. I’m just here to share my story.”