Skip to content

Keith Ellison’s Ex-Girlfriend Posts Medical File Alleging Abuse

Karen Monahan told a doctor in 2017 she had suffered ‘emotional and physical’ abuse by Dem congressman

Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is calling for a House Ethics investigation into domestic abuse allegations against him. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., is calling for a House Ethics investigation into domestic abuse allegations against him. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Rep. Keith Ellison’s ex-girlfriend, who accused him last month of abuse during their relationship in 2016, posted to Twitter a medical memo in which she told her doctor that Ellison had abused her emotionally and physically.

Karen Monahan, 44, the Minnesota Democrat’s former girlfriend, shared the patient progress report on Twitter on Tuesday and again Wednesday.

“Here is one of my Dr visits stating the abuse that occurred. It amazes me the measures people have to take for their humanity to be validated,” Monahan wrote, tagging #MeToo to the end of her tweet.

During the November 2017 doctor’s visit, Monahan claimed she was “in a very stressful environment for years, emotional and physical abuse by a partner with whom she is now separated,” according to the report typed up by physician Jodi Milburn.

“She did not have any physical injuries that required a physical examination in the past. She identifies the individual she was involved with as congressmen [sic] Ellison, and she is worried about retribution if she identifies him publicly,” the document states.

Ellison, the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee and the first Muslim to serve in Congress, is leaving the Hill at the end of his term and running for Minnesota attorney general this fall.

His office could not immediately be reached for comment.

He has previously denied the allegations that he physically or emotionally abused Monahan, calling them personal, painful and untrue, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Monahan’s son Austin Monahan posted the allegation to Facebook on Aug. 11 claiming Ellison had tried to drag his mother off his bed by her legs and feet, yelling at her to “get the f— out of his house.” He claimed there was video of the incident.

“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 in August. “This video does not exist because I never behaved in this way, and any characterization otherwise is false.”

12 House Ratings Changes: Democrats Are More Likely Than Not to Win Majority

Loading the player...

Recent Stories

Capitol Lens | O’s face

Mayorkas impeachment headed to Senate for April 11 trial

Muslim American appeals court nominee loses Democratic support

At the Races: Lieberman lookback

Court says South Carolina can use current congressional map

Joseph Lieberman: A Capitol life in photos