Hochul Appoints Letitia James to Probe Cornell Gang Rape

Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order on Thursday appointing Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate allegations that a former Cornell University student was gang-raped and drugged by members of the Chi Phi Fraternity in October 2024. The intervention follows public outcry over the initial investigation, which was closed without charges by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten.

Hochul stated that newly released information undercut her faith in the local prosecutor's ability to handle the case. She specifically criticized the Cornell Police Department for sending partial records to prosecutors that omitted a statement from the victim, identified as Jane Doe, in which she claimed to be "100% certain" she was raped. Hochul described the police response as a "failure" and questioned why the district attorney did not interview the victim or other involved parties before closing the case.

While Van Houten reopened the investigation on Monday and defended his initial findings, the case has already sparked a civil lawsuit filed on September 16 against the university, the fraternity, and seven individuals. The lawsuit alleges the victim was incapacitated by ketamine, marijuana, and alcohol. In response, Cornell University has barred the local Chi Phi Fraternity chapter from campus and President Michael Kotlikoff has agreed to an independent investigation into the university's response. Letitia James will now oversee the probe to determine if a grand jury indictment is warranted.