Cornell Frat Rape Investigation: NY Governor Appoints Special Prosecutor
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into allegations of a 2024 sexual assault at a Cornell University fraternity house.
Hochul signed an executive order on Thursday transferring responsibility for the criminal investigation to the New York Attorney General’s Office.
The move comes days after Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the case following renewed attention surrounding a civil lawsuit filed by the woman at the center of the allegations.
Letitia James Takes Over Investigation
Under Hochul’s executive order, James will oversee the investigation and can prosecute any offenses if warranted.
The governor said newly released information had raised serious questions about the investigation conducted by Cornell University Police and the local prosecutor’s earlier decision not to bring criminal charges.
Hochul said the developments had weakened her confidence in the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office to handle the case.
James said her office would approach the investigation based on the facts and applicable law.
“Every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated fully and fairly,” James said in a statement released after her appointment.
Investigation Involves 2024 Cornell Fraternity Allegations
The case centers on allegations made by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe in court documents.
She aThe Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office later decided not to pursue criminal charges.
Civil Lawsuit Brings New Attention
The case returned to national attention after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September against the seven former fraternity members, Cornell University, Chi Phi and other parties.
The lawsuit contains allegations that differ in important ways from the account summarized by prosecutors from the woman’s original 2024 police interview.
After reviewing the new allegations, Van Houten announced on September 28 that his office had reopened the criminal investigation.
Cornell Faces Separate Review
The criminal investigation is separate from a review of Cornell University’s handling of the allegations.
Cornell has agreed to an independent investigation into how the university responded to the case.
The university previously conducted its own disciplinary process.
Cornell has also suspended the Chi Phi fraternity and supported the reopening of the criminal investigation.
What Happens Next
The appointment of James gives the case a new prosecutorial authority as investigators examine evidence from the original investigation and information that has emerged through the civil lawsuit.
The appointment does not mean that
The investigation remains ongoing, while the civil lawsuit and Cornell’s independent review continue separately.
For now, the focus is on establishing what happened in October 2024 and determining whether the available evidence supports further criminal proceedings.
About the Author
