Gov. Hochul says NY AG James will investigate Cornell gang rape allegation, tell me about this news today

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order naming state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to take over the criminal investigation into allegations that a Cornell University student was drugged and gang-raped by fraternity members in 2024.

India Today

The case centers on allegations brought by a studentidentified in legal filings as Jane Doewho stated that seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted her after she was plied with drugs and alcohol at the fraternity house in October 2024. The student reported the assault to Cornell University police in November 2024, but Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to bring criminal charges at that time, arguing that initial reports lacked explicit assertions of incapacitation or non-consent under state penal law.

India Today

Public outrage intensified after the survivor filed a federal civil lawsuit against the accused students, Cornell University, and Chi Phi. Police interview transcripts and records emerged showing the woman had told investigators she was incapacitated, coerced, and stated, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped”. Although District Attorney Van Houten reopened the local investigation under mounting pressure, Governor Hochul stepped in to remove him from the inquiry, stating that institutional failures by campus police and the local prosecutor’s office had undercut public faith in their handling of the case.

India Today+ 2

Under the executive order, Attorney General Letitia James’s office now has full authority to re-examine all evidence, lead the criminal probe, and decide whether to present the case to a grand jury for criminal charges. Separately, the Attorney General’s office is also reviewing Cornell University’s institutional response and handling of the allegations.

Law Commentary