Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped New York Attorney General Letitia James to take over the criminal investigation into accusations that a former Cornell University student was gang raped by several frat brothers at the Ivy League school in 2024.
Hochul said her faith in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s investigation into the stomach-turning allegations has been undercut after new reporting revealed discrepancies in what the DA said the survivor originally reported.
“Newly released information continues to raise 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,” the governor said in a statement Thursday evening.
“This has, in turn, undercut my faith, and the public’s faith, in the District Attorney’s ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the case at this time.
“For this reason, I have issued an executive order appointing Attorney General James as special prosecutor in this case. As special prosecutor, the Attorney General will investigate this incident and, if warranted, prosecute any offenses arising from that investigation and present evidence to a grand jury,” Hochul said.
James announced earlier in the day that her office was launching its own review of the sexual assault accusations which was brought to light when the victim, Jane Doe, filed a civil suit last month against seven fraternity brothers and the university.
“The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued,” Hochul added. “This action will ensure that the matter is fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias, and handled independently with the rigor that this matter demands.”
Van Houten said Doe’s statement to Cornell University police, while disturbing, did not accuse the male students of rape.
However, the woman told university cops: “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped,” according to a transcript of their conversation revealed Wednesday.
