New York governor vows to close legal loophole after alleged Cornell University gang rape
New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed on Friday to close a legal loophole allowing offenders in the state to avoid rape charges if their victims were willingly intoxicated, as in the case of an alleged gang rape at Cornell University. There has been an outcry in the United States over a decision by prosecutors not to file charges in the case at the Ivy League college two years ago, prompting the…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul pledged on Friday to close a legal loophole that allows offenders in the state to escape rape charges when their victims are willingly intoxicated, following an alleged gang rape at Cornell University. This comes after prosecutors decided not to file charges in the case two years ago, leading to an investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James, who reopened the probe on Monday.
The victim alleged that she was drugged with ketamine, assaulted, and raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. Hochul stated that "voluntary intoxication is not a license for sexual assault or gang rape" and vowed to work with the New York State Legislature to close the loophole. The governor criticized the initial investigation, noting that the victim confidently claimed she was raped by the fraternity members.
Cornell University closed the fraternity and temporarily suspended the involved students, several of whom were later expelled.
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