New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in the investigation into allegations that a Cornell University student was raped by multiple fraternity members in 2024, The New York Times reported.
Hochul signed an executive order Thursday (October 1) appointing James to take over the investigation.
“Newly released information continues to raise serious questions” about the Cornell Police Department’s investigation and the Tompkins County District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute, Hochul said, according to Spectrum News.
Hochul said the developments had “undercut my faith, and the public’s faith” in District Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s ability to handle the case.
James said her office would investigate the allegations “fully and fairly.”
“The Governor has entrusted my office with this investigation, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,” James said.
The case dates back to October 2024, when the woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, alleges that seven Chi Phi fraternity members sexually assaulted her at the fraternity house. She reported the alleged assault to Cornell police in November 2024.
The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office declined to bring criminal charges at the time.
Van Houten said the woman’s sworn statement to police did not allege that she was drugged against her will, incapacitated beyond her ability to consent, or gang raped, The New York Times reported.
But during a two-day interview with Cornell police on November 14 and 15, 2024, the woman gave additional details about the alleged assault. She told an investigator, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.”
In September, the woman filed a civil lawsuit against the seven men she accused, Cornell University and Chi Phi. The Cornell Daily Sun reported on the lawsuit, and Van Houten reopened the criminal investigation Monday (September 28), saying his office had received new information.
The allegations have not been proven in criminal court, and attorneys for some of the accused men have denied wrongdoing.
Hochul and James are scheduled to provide an update Friday (October 2) at 9:30 a.m., according to The Associated Press.
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