New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday the appointment of Letitia James, the state's attorney general, as special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang-rape at Cornell University. The incident reportedly took place at a fraternity in 2024.
Governor Hochul stated that the decision was made to ensure the matter is "fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias." She cited concerns over the Tompkins county district attorney's earlier decision not to prosecute the case and recent questions regarding the Cornell police department's investigation of the allegations.
The former Cornell University student who alleges the assault filed a lawsuit in September, identifying herself by the pseudonym Jane Doe. The lawsuit names seven men she claims perpetrated the assault, as well as the university and the fraternity.
Matthew Van Houten, the Tompkins county district attorney, had previously declined to bring criminal charges. However, he stated this week that he would reopen the investigation based on new information presented in the woman's lawsuit.
Cornell University has said it indefinitely suspended the Chi Phi fraternity and disciplined or expelled some students, though specifics have not been provided due to student privacy rules. The university also agreed on Wednesday to bring in outside lawyers to independently investigate its handling of the allegations.