AG Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged Cornell 'gang rape' case

Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed as a special prosecutor in an alleged gang rape case at Cornell University, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. The allegations involve seven fraternity members allegedly sexually assaulting a student in 2024. Hochul issued an executive order to appoint James, citing newly released information that raises questions about the Cornell Police Department's investigation and the Tompkins County District Attorney's decision not to prosecute the case.

James expressed her readiness to lead an investigation that "every New Yorker deserves to know" will be conducted "fully and fairly." The appointment comes after the district attorney announced he would reopen the investigation, and the former student, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged, assaulted, and gang raped by members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

Van Houten acknowledged relying on the Cornell Police investigation and stated the allegations in the civil complaint differ from her initial police statement. Cornell University agreed to initiate an independent investigation into its handling of the allegations, following Hochul's call for the review.