New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has removed the local district attorney from the investigation into allegations of a gang rape at Cornell University and put state Attorney General Letitia James in charge.
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Hochul said newly released information had caused her to “lose faith” in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s ability to handle the case. She appointed James as special prosecutor Thursday.
“In what world would the police learn from a victim that she had been literally gang-raped while intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney?” Hochul said during a press conference about the appointment Friday. “In what world does the district attorney not even interview her or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript? This woman – this young woman – had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable. And then at every turn she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her.”
James vowed to do a thorough investigation while reminding the public that answers don’t always come quickly.
“I know that you want answers. I do too. A comprehensive investigation of this nature takes time, but my office is committed to seeing it through,” she said. “This is now an active criminal investigation.”
James said updates will be provided as they come available.
The Cornell case
The allegations date back to 2024, when a Cornell student said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men at the Chi Phi fraternity house. Cornell conducted its own investigation, which led to some students being disciplined or expelled, but Van Houten’s office closed the criminal case without filing charges.
He reopened it this week after the woman, identified only as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit that brought new attention — and new questions — to how the case was originally handled.
Van Houten has since said he never saw the full transcript of Doe’s 2024 interview with campus police, including her statement that she was “100% confident” she had been raped. Cornell has said campus police followed protocol and shared the investigative information with prosecutors.
James now has the authority to investigate the allegations and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury. Hochul said the woman at the center of the case deserves to know “every fact will be examined and justice pursued.”
“She’ll follow the facts. She’ll go wherever it leads,” Hochul said about James.
Cornell faces separate review
Hochul has also called for a separate outside review of Cornell’s handling of the allegations, saying the case raises “serious questions” about campus culture and whether the university is doing enough to protect students.
“No student should ever be left wondering whether the institutions meant to protect them will listen and act,” Hochul said in her statement announcing the review.
Cornell has agreed to bring in outside lawyers to conduct the independent review.
“Cornell shares Governor Hochul’s commitment to addressing campus culture issues, which affect universities across the nation and New York. We are committed to continuing to work with state officials to advance student safety and wellbeing,” a Cornell spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News.
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