New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving a former Cornell University student.
Hochul signed an executive order Thursday transferring authority over the case to James’ office, saying newly released information had raised serious questions about how the original investigation was conducted and why the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office initially declined to pursue criminal charges.
The allegations stem from an October 2024 incident at a Cornell fraternity house. A former student, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, has alleged that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members while incapacitated. The allegations remain allegations, and the accused individuals have denied wrongdoing through attorneys.
The case was initially closed without criminal charges in 2024. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced last week that his office would reopen the investigation following renewed attention surrounding the allegations and a civil lawsuit filed by the woman.
Hochul said the newly surfaced information undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor’s ability to oversee the matter. She also raised concerns about the handling of information gathered by Cornell University Police, including questions about whether the accuser and other relevant individuals were sufficiently interviewed during the initial investigation.
James said her office will conduct a full investigation guided by the facts and applicable law. Under Hochul’s order, the attorney general can investigate the allegations, prosecute offenses if warranted and present evidence to a grand jury.
The appointment comes as Cornell faces additional scrutiny over its handling of the allegations. The university has said it supports the appointment of a special prosecutor and has agreed to an independent external review of its own response to the case.
The investigation could also bring renewed attention to New York’s laws governing sexual assault and voluntary intoxication. Hochul has called for changes to state law, arguing that the legal framework should provide stronger protections in cases involving allegations of sexual assault and incapacitation.
For now, the case remains an active criminal investigation. James’ office is expected to review the available evidence, examine how the original investigation was handled and determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
