Hochul's Documentary Appearance Sparks Criticism Over Cornell Investigation

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's appearance in a Netflix documentary about the Cornell University sexual assault case has drawn criticism, with some alleging it casts an "air of impropriety" over the ongoing investigation. Hochul, who signed an executive order assigning New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in October, appears in the film "Instadocs: Jane Doe v. Cornell" and offers her personal reactions to the case.

In the documentary, approximately 13 minutes into the film, Hochul states, "My first reaction was how disgusting, not again. You feel like, not again." She also drew parallels to her own undergraduate experience at Syracuse University in the late 1970s, recalling a series of rapes that occurred during her first week on campus and the resulting anxiety.

The case involves allegations from a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit claiming she was drugged and gang-raped in a Cornell fraternity house in 2024. The lawsuit names seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers, the university, and her sorority. The Tompkins County District Attorney's office had previously determined that the alleged facts presented by Jane Doe did not constitute a crime, despite her reporting the allegations to local law enforcement nearly two years prior.

Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor, criticized Hochul's participation in the documentary, suggesting it could compromise the fairness of the investigation. "The governor can say anything she wants about anything. The question is, should she?" Rotunno asked. "The problem you have here is there has already been the air of impropriety."

Rotunno also questioned the timing of Hochul's intervention, noting that the governor stepped in two years after the initial allegations were reported. "If she was so in tune as to what was happening in Ithaca or elsewhere in the state of New York, this is probably something that should have been on her radar," Rotunno stated.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Hochul told Fox News Digital that "Governors routinely speak to news and media organizations about matters of significant public interest."

Hochul's appearance comes as Attorney General Letitia James is leading a renewed investigation into the allegations. The governor's office has stated that they want to ensure people "believe in the process."