MPR Reveals New Details of Garrison Keillor Allegations

Minnesota Public Radio provided additional details of allegations of sexual harassment against humorist Garrison Keillor on Tuesday, saying his alleged conduct went well beyond his account in November of accidentally touching a woman's bare back. MPR said in a statement that Keillor was accused by a woman who worked on his "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show of dozens of sexually inappropriate incidents over several years, including requests for sexual contact and explicit sexual communications and touching. MPR said the woman, whom it has not identified, detailed the allegations in a 12-page letter that included excerpts of emails and written messages, the AP reports.

MPR said as it attempted to investigate the case, Keillor and his attorney refused to grant access to his computer, emails, and text messages. The station said it had avoided releasing more information about the allegations while it was in mediation with Keillor "and the other parties in this matter." "Unfortunately, the mediation sessions have not produced the final settlements we had hoped for," the station said. Keillor told the Star Tribune listeners were angry over his firing because they "smelled a rat" and "they know I'm not abusive." He called the woman's account "a highly selective and imaginative piece of work" drawn up by her attorney.

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