New York Governor Kathy Hochul has named New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang-rape at Cornell University in 2024. Governor Hochul stated she had lost faith in the local district attorney's ability to handle the case.
Both Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are scheduled to provide an update today following the attorney general's appointment. Hochul indicated that newly released information raised questions about the investigation conducted by Cornell police and the decision by Tompkins County prosecutors not to file charges.
James will oversee the investigation and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury. Matthew Van Houten, the Tompkins County district attorney, had previously declined to file charges, citing that the victim's testimony did not establish a lack of consent. However, Van Houten announced on Monday that his office would reopen the investigation due to renewed attention and public pressure.
A woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit last month. She alleged being drugged with ketamine and raped by a group of men at a fraternity house near Cornell University's campus in October 2024. The incident was reported to the Cornell University police department several weeks later, but no criminal charges were filed.