NY AG launches active criminal investigation into Cornell rape claims; students voice anger

New York's Attorney General, Letitia James, has been appointed as a special prosecutor to lead a criminal investigation into alleged gang-rape claims at Cornell University. Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Thursday, October 1, 2026, to make the appointment, citing a loss of faith in the Tompkins County District Attorney's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the case. This decision follows "newly released information" that raised serious questions about the initial investigation by the Cornell Police Department and the local District Attorney's prior decision not to bring criminal charges.

The allegations stem from an incident in October 2024 at a Cornell University fraternity house, where a former student, identified as Jane Doe, claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted. The case gained renewed public attention after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit in September, which included new details such as alleged Snapchat messages among fraternity members. The initial investigation by the Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, had concluded without criminal charges, based on the victim's original statement, which he said did not include allegations of being drugged or gang-raped.

As special prosecutor, Attorney General James will now oversee the investigation and, if the evidence supports it, present the case to a grand jury. Governor Hochul emphasized that the alleged victim "deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued," and also highlighted a potential "gap in state law" regarding consent when an individual is intoxicated, pledging to work with lawmakers to address this issue.