Cornell Rape Investigation: New York Governor Says Accuser Was Failed by Official
Hochul made the comments on Friday as New York Attorney General Letitia James took over the investigation as a special prosecutor. The decision follows renewed scrutiny of how police and prosecutors handled the woman’s allegations after she reported the incident in 2024.
Governor Hochul Criticises Case Handling
The governor questioned why the Tompkins County district attorney’s office closed the case without interviewing the woman or other people involved in the alleged incident.
She also criticised the Cornell University Police Department for allegedly failing to provide prosecutors with important parts of the woman’s account.
According to reporting reviewed by authorities, the woman told campus police that she was certain she had been raped. However, that statement was reportedly not included in the police account later provided to prosecutors.
Attorney General Takes Over Investigation
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The attorney general described the matter as an active criminal
The development comes after the woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit against several former members of the Chi Phi fraternity, Cornell University and other parties.
Allegations Date Back to 2024
The allegations concern an incident at a Cornell fraternity house in October 2024.
She reported the alleged assault to Cornell police several weeks later. The case was investigated but prosecutors did not initially bring criminal charges.
The woman later pursued a civil lawsuit, bringing renewed attention to the case and the decisions made by police and prosecutors.
The allegations remain allegations, and the accused individuals have denied wrongdoing through their attorneys.
Prosecutor Defends Earlier Decision
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has previously defended the decision not to pursue charges in 2024.
He later reopened the investigation after the case received renewed public attention.
Cornell Responds to Allegations
Cornell University has said it previously conducted its own Title IX investigation into the allegations.
The university said disciplinary action was taken against students involved in the matter, including suspensions and expulsions. Cornell also said the fraternity chapter was closed and barred from campus.
The university has expressed support for the renewed criminal investigation and said it takes sexual violence allegations seriously.
Focus Turns to New Investigation
The Cornell rape investigation is now under renewed scrutiny as the New York Attorney General’s Office examines the circumstances surrounding the original police and prosecutorial response.
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