Summary: Governor Kathy Hochul has named AG Letitia James as special prosecutor in a renewed probe of an alleged October 19, 2024 gang rape at Cornell after the accuser filed a civil suit. The plaintiff, using the pseudonym Jane Doe, told police in a November interview, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped," though that language did not appear in a later sworn statement provided to the Tompkins County DA. The local DA initially declined to charge, citing the sworn statement and limits in state law; he has since reopened the case and may present evidence to a grand jury. Cornell says it disciplined the Chi Phi chapter, while critics and lawmakers call for greater accountability and possible changes to state law.
Cornell Rape Investigation: AG Letitia James Named Special Prosecutor After Civil Suit, DA Reopens Case
A sign points to the Cornell University Police building in Ithaca, New York, US, September 29, 2026. REUTERS/Lauren Petracca
Overview: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to take over the renewed criminal inquiry into an alleged 2024 gang rape of a Cornell University student. The move follows a civil lawsuit filed in mid-September and new reporting that raised questions about the original 2024 investigation.
What the Plaintiff Alleges
The plaintiff, who appears in court filings under the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed a civil suit in mid-September naming seven members of the Cornell chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity, the chapter itself, Cornell University, a local bar and her sorority. The complaint alleges the incident occurred on October 19, 2024 at the Chi Phi house. It says the woman was given alcohol, marijuana and ketamine, became incapacitated, and was then sexually assaulted. The filing also includes a screenshot of a group text in which one participant crudely urged others to join in the sexual activity.
What the Initial Investigation Found
Recent reporting revealed additional details about what law enforcement knew in 2024. A transcript obtained by CBS New York shows that in a mid-November police interview the woman told investigators, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped." That explicit phrasing does not appear in a shorter sworn statement later submitted to Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's office.
The New York Times obtained more than 1,000 pages from Cornell's internal review, which reported that the woman's recollection and understanding of the event evolved over time and that it took her a period to fully grasp what had happened.
Prosecutors' Response
DA Matthew Van Houten initially declined to file criminal charges in 2024, saying the sworn statement his office received described the woman's participation in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual." Prosecutors also cited limits in New York's narrowly drawn sexual assault statute, which can make it harder to prove certain rape cases when the alleged victim voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs.
Campus police at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, US, September 29, 2026. REUTERS/Lauren Petracca
Jane Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, criticized prosecutors for failing to pursue additional investigative steps at the time, including interviewing the woman directly. Facing public pressure, Van Houten announced on Sept. 28 that his office had reopened the case and would present evidence, including the woman's testimony, to a grand jury.
Governor's Action
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation, effectively transferring control from the local DA's office to the state attorney general. At a press event explaining the decision, Hochul said she was "deeply disturbed" by how Cornell police and the local prosecutor handled the case and added that the woman had been failed by institutions responsible for protecting her. Van Houten said he supported the appointment and suggested the university had not provided "the full picture."
Cornell's Response and Campus Reaction
Cornell says it conducted a comprehensive internal investigation, barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus and imposed disciplinary measures on members, including expulsions and other sanctions. The lawsuit contends the university's punishments were insufficient and alleges that some students were allowed to seek reduced penalties through written mitigation such as essays. Some students on campus have expressed anger and concern about how the university handled the matter.
Fraternity And Accused Members
The national Chi Phi organization and the Cornell chapter say they expelled members believed to be involved. Trey Robb, interim executive director of the national fraternity, said those actions "went beyond anything the law or Cornell University required of us." According to reporting based on Cornell's internal documents, the accused men have denied wrongdoing; some have said any sexual activity was consensual, while others denied participating. Some of the men, however, expressed unease about parts of the interaction.
Next Steps
With the attorney general now overseeing the probe, investigators may present the matter to a grand jury for possible indictment. The case has prompted broader debate about campus policing, university disciplinary processes and whether New York's sexual-assault laws should be revised to address scenarios involving alcohol or drugs. The investigation is ongoing.
Note: This report summarizes allegations, official statements and reporting to date. No criminal charges have been announced at the time of writing.
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