New York Attorney General Letitia James has assumed control of an active criminal investigation into an alleged 2024 gang rape at Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity house, after Governor Kathy Hochul rebuked local police handling of the case and vowed to close state intoxication loopholes. The intervention follows a civil lawsuit filed by the accuser, identified in court records as Jane Doe, which thrust the allegations into national prominence. Governor Hochul stated she “will not allow anyone to sweep this case under the rug.”
New York Attorney General Takes Over Cornell Fraternity Rape Investigation
Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that her office will review facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and pursue prosecutions if warranted. James said Friday morning that her office will provide updates “as they become available.” Local Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated he previously reopened the criminal investigation after acknowledging his office was not provided the full picture by the university during initial reviews in 2024. Both Cornell and Van Houten have expressed support for James’ appointment. Cornell University defended its initial actions, noting its internal investigation led to student expulsions and suspensions, while also announcing a commitment to an independent external review of its handling of the case.
Governor Hochul Condemns Campus Police and Vows Legal Reform
Governor Kathy Hochul stated at a press conference that the accuser was failed at every turn by institutions obligated to protect her. Hochul specifically criticized campus police for omitting a statement from an official report sent to prosecutors in which the student said with 100 percent confidence that she was raped while intoxicated at the fraternity house. Hochul said she had “lost faith” in the county prosecutor’s ability to oversee the case. Alongside the criminal probe, Hochul pledged to change state laws so that rape victims who consume alcohol or drugs voluntarily are not denied justice due to intoxication thresholds for consent.
Transcript Reveals Accuser Told Campus Police She Was 100 Percent Confident She Was Raped
CBS News New York obtained an interview transcript showing the student told a campus investigator on November 14, 2024, that she was confident the assault occurred, stating she felt like a “sex doll” and “bait.” According to reports from The New York Times and CNN, these explicit statements were left out of the six-page summary furnished to prosecutors. Thomas Giuffra, the attorney representing Jane Doe, remarked to CBS News that the district attorney had a woman telling an officer she was raped alongside a group chat inviting sexual assaults, calling the initial lack of prosecution shocking. Giuffra also told CNN that his client is under siege on social media as online sleuths attempt to identify her, forcing women across the internet to share solidarity clips shielding her identity. Giuffra said his client is “not doing well” and was “incapable of consent” because she was “completely, grossly intoxicated.” He noted she had been pressured into taking ketamine before the alleged assault by seven men. Online efforts to identify Doe have led to mistakes, including a US Marine Corps sergeant with the same name as one of the accused who was incorrectly served the lawsuit and faced threats and abuse.
Cornell Cancels Fraternity Events After Alleged Assault
The lawsuit alleges the assault occurred in October 2024 after the accuser was pressured into drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and snorting ketamine. The CBS transcript shows she told investigators she was hit “very, very hard” and did not remember the end of the night. Cornell initially claimed it shared all investigatory information with the DA, but later amended that statement to say it shared the Snapchat screenshot and the victim’s sworn statement. The university has canceled all social fraternity events for the upcoming weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cornell University Investigation
Who is leading the reopened criminal investigation into the Cornell fraternity case?
New York Attorney General Letitia James assumed responsibility for the active criminal investigation after Governor Kathy Hochul directed her office to take over the case.
What specific legal change is New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposing?
Governor Hochul is pursuing legislative changes to ensure that rape victims who are voluntarily intoxicated by drugs or alcohol are not denied justice or unable to establish lack of consent.
How did Cornell University respond to the initial allegations in 2024?
Cornell University conducted an internal investigation that resulted in expulsions, suspensions, and other sanctions against individuals involved, and the university has since announced an independent external review of its procedures.
More on Letitia James
Keep reading