New York AG Launches Criminal Investigation Into Alleged Cornell University Rape

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Friday that her office has opened an active criminal investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in 2024. The investigation was initiated after Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James as an independent special prosecutor in the case.

"This is now an active criminal investigation led by the office of the attorney general," James stated. "Every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated fully and fairly, that they will be seen and heard. That is the promise of our justice system."

Hochul signed an executive order appointing James as special prosecutor on Thursday, citing "serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute an alleged sexual assault on Cornell University's campus in October 2024."

A civil complaint filed in September by a woman identified as Jane Doe accuses seven members of Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity of sexual assault and rape. The complaint alleges that Doe was given alcohol and drugs to the point of intoxication by fraternity members, leading to her being sexually assaulted and raped.

The Tompkins County District Attorney's office had previously reviewed the case and opted not to pursue criminal charges. In a statement, the District Attorney's office said Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 did not allege she was drugged against her will or gang-raped, but rather described drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual. The office stated its decision was not based on the subsequent civil lawsuit.

Hochul highlighted that Doe reportedly told Cornell police officers she had been raped, but this information did not appear in the voluntary statement sent to the district attorney's office. "In what world would the police learn from a victim that she'd been literally gang raped while intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house, and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney?" Hochul asked during a press conference.

Matthew Van Houten, the Tompkins County district attorney, stated he had not been contacted by Doe's attorneys to inform him of any discrepancies or to reconsider the decision. He added that he reached out to Doe's attorneys after the lawsuit was filed to understand the alleged discrepancy between her initial statement and the lawsuit's claims.

Cornell University expressed full support for the appointment of a special prosecutor and stated its commitment to an independent external review of how the university handled the case. The university also announced it has reopened its own investigation into the matter.

James indicated that her office will review the facts, gather evidence, and interview witnesses, pursuing prosecutions if warranted. "I know that you want answers. I do too," she said.