New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of sexual assault at Cornell University.
Hochul signed an executive order on Thursday transferring the investigation from Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. The move followed renewed scrutiny over how authorities handled the allegations from 2024.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit on September 16. She alleges that seven members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her at the fraternity house in October 2024. None of the seven men has faced criminal charges.
Hochul Raises Questions Over Case Handling
Hochul said newly released information raised serious questions about the Cornell Police Department’s investigation and the district attorney’s earlier decision not to prosecute. She said the developments had undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor’s ability to handle the case.
Van Houten had announced earlier this week that his office would reopen the investigation after the lawsuit brought renewed attention to the allegations. He had also said the case could be presented to a grand jury after prosecutors determine whether charges are appropriate.
Attorney General To Lead Investigation
James said her office would conduct the investigation based on the facts and the law. Under Hochul’s order, the attorney general can prosecute any offenses identified by the investigation and present evidence to a grand jury if warranted.
The appointment comes amid continuing scrutiny of Cornell’s handling of the allegations. Cornell has previously taken disciplinary action against students involved and barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus, while the criminal investigation continues.
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