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New York Attorney General Opens Criminal Investigation into Cornell Sexual Assault Allegations
Just the facts
A former Cornell University student, identified in legal filings as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity during an event in 2024. Attorney Thomas Giuffra, representing the accuser, stated that local prosecutors failed to review key witness statements and physical evidence gathered by university police. New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed the opening of an active criminal investigation into the matter after receiving the special prosecutor mandate from Governor Kathy Hochul. The case has also brought renewed legislative attention to New York statutory provisions concerning legal consent and voluntary intoxication.
Why this is news
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate sexual assault allegations at Cornell University. The appointment followed criticism over the local district attorney's initial handling of evidence in the case.
Sources
This summary is compiled strictly from the original reporting below.