New York Attorney General Letitia James made special prosecutor in Cornell rape investigation

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed as the special prosecutor to lead an investigation into allegations of a gang rape at Cornell University. This follows claims made by a former student, referred to only as "Jane Doe," who detailed a graphic and violent assault she allegedly endured at a fraternity house in October 2024.

James criticized the handling of the case by Cornell University police and local prosecutor Matthew Van Houten, stating that they failed to adequately investigate her claims and did not request a full transcript of her statements to police. James emphasized that her office will treat the investigation as a criminal case, reviewing the facts, gathering evidence, and interviewing witnesses if warranted.

The discrepancies between Van Houten's statements and Doe's detailed account have raised questions about the investigation's integrity and its impact on public trust in the district attorney's ability to investigate and prosecute such cases.