Allegation of rape at Cornell University: Governor Hochul appointed a special prosecutor

An investigation into an alleged sexual assault linked to Cornell University in New York has returned to the headlines. New York Attorney General Kathy Hochul appointed Letitia James, the State Prosecutor, as a special prosecutor in the file of a woman who claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven men in a university student community house in 2024.

The investigation, conducted jointly, was transferred from the office of Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to the inquiry led by James.

Hochul: “I Lost Confidence”

Attorney General Hochul indicated that the new information emerging in the file raised serious questions about the early stages of the investigation.

Hochul said she had lost confidence in the Tompkins County District Attorney's ability to conduct the investigation fairly, and that it was necessary to thoroughly examine all facts concerning the incident involving the woman who reported the assault.

The new special prosecutor, Letitia James, explained that she had taken responsibility for the investigation and would evaluate the evidence obtained.

James, the processin line with the facts and the lawHe said it would be carried out. It was stated that the prosecutor could request the initiation of the criminal process by transferring the file to the grand jury if deemed necessary after the investigation.

Woman Files Lawsuit Against Cornell University

In court documents, the woman who concealed her identity as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Cornell University in September.

The woman claimed that in 2024 she was drugged at a student community house affiliated with the university and sexually assaulted by seven men. She also alleged that the university failed to protect her and that insufficient action was taken against the individuals named in the incident.

The seven men named in the file began to be referred to in the public as the "Cornell Seven" after the incident resurfaced.

Why Was the Investigation Closed?

Despite the incident being reported to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office in 2024, no criminal charges were filed at the time.

District Attorney Matthew Van Houten argued that the information that reached them during the investigation did not meet the legal threshold for filing criminal charges.

Van Houten said that the statement that reached them at the time gave the impression that the sexual encounter was consensual and that the woman was not drugged.

However, as the file resurfaced, it emerged that additional evidence had also been found within the scope of the investigation.

Cornell University announced that it had turned over some evidence obtained during its own investigation to the prosecutor's office.

Among the evidence, it was stated that a Snapchat group chat allegedly containing student community members discussing the sexual encounter with the woman that night was also included.

Case Reopened

Van Houten’s office announced that the investigation had been reopened roughly two weeks after Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Cornell University.

Doe’s attorney Thomas Giuffra, however, accused Van Houten of changing his statements about the prior investigation after the case resurfaced in the public eye.

In the subsequent process, the special prosecutor Letitia James, appointed to the case, is expected to reassess the available evidence. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, a decision will be made whether to initiate criminal proceedings in the file.