NY Attorney General Faces Bar Complaint Over 'Cornell 7' Case Comments
A legal ethics complaint alleges Letitia James displayed bias before being appointed special prosecutor in the Cornell University gang rape probe.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing a bar ethics complaint for alleged prejudicial statements made about the “Cornell 7” case prior to her appointment as special prosecutor. The complaint, filed by the National Legal and Policy Center, argues that James' public comments violated New York's rules of professional conduct and compromised the impartiality of the investigation.
Two days before being appointed to reopen the investigation into a 2024 alleged gang rape at Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity, James posted on social media platform X, "What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable." She added, "To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you."
The complaint, filed in New York State Supreme Court, asserts that by publicly aligning herself with one side of the highly publicized case before investigating, James demonstrated clear bias. "It is clear that she must recuse herself from having anything to do with this case to preserve the impartiality and integrity of any investigation and prosecution," the complaint states.
Legal ethicist Jack Marshall, whose expert witness report was included with the complaint, called the violation "flagrant, obvious and therefore shocking." He added that it was "remarkable" for the state's chief law enforcement officer to appear unfamiliar with professional ethics standards.
James' statement "raises suspicion of a rigged, pre-determined and illicit investigation," Marshall concluded.
During a recent debate, James defended her remarks, stating they demonstrated empathy. "Politics stops at the door in my office," she insisted, with a spokesperson for her office adding that the Attorney General's office is "committed to conducting a comprehensive review of nothing but the facts, the evidence and the law."
Two of the men accused in the lawsuit, Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes, have also filed court documents seeking James' removal from the case. They argued that she "made clear… she has already reached the conclusion. … the defendants are guilty."
James was appointed special prosecutor on October 1 to conduct a full investigation into events at the Chi Phi house on October 19, 2024, and to present evidence to a grand jury if warranted.
