Hochul Appoints Special Prosecutor in Cornell Rape Case Investigation
Governor cites loss of faith in local probe, assigns Attorney General Letitia James oversight.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday she has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into a rape allegation at Cornell University. Hochul stated she has "lost faith" in the Tompkins County District Attorney's ability to conduct a fair inquiry.
"New information has raised serious questions about how this case was handled, and I've lost faith in the Tompkins County District Attorney's ability to fairly oversee it," Hochul said in a statement. "The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued."
The case involves allegations by a woman who claims she was gang-raped by seven fraternity members. Hochul signed an executive order to appoint James, a fellow Democrat, to oversee the investigation.
