Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Hochul Names Special Prosecutor in Cornell Rape Case
A former Cornell student says several fraternity members sexually assaulted her at a party in October 2024.
She says drugs and alcohol left her partly or completely unable to consent.
The seven men named in her lawsuit gave investigators different stories about what happened.
Some said they had sexual contact with her but believed it was consensual.
Others said they did not have sexual contact with her.
The woman has sued Cornell, the fraternity and the seven men.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the earlier investigation raised serious questions.
She appointed Attorney General Letitia James to lead a new investigation.
James said her office would examine the allegations fully and fairly.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to oversee the investigation.
The appointment follows reports that seven accused fraternity members gave conflicting accounts to Cornell investigators.
Four men acknowledged sexual contact but said it was consensual; others denied sexual encounters or described different interactions.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleges she was drugged, intoxicated and sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in October 2024.
Hochul said she had lost confidence in the Tompkins County district attorney’s ability to oversee the case fairly.
- Who
- A former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe, seven fraternity members, Cornell University, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James.
- What
- James was appointed special prosecutor after reports detailed conflicting accounts from the seven accused men in a sexual-assault investigation.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred in October 2024; the special-prosecutor appointment followed the release of new reports.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at a Cornell University fraternity house in New York.
- Why
- Hochul said new information raised questions about Cornell’s investigation and the Tompkins County prosecutors’ decision not to bring charges.
Accuser’s Allegations
Accused Men’s Accounts
Consent and capacity
Accuser’s Allegations
Jane Doe alleges that fraternity members plied her with drugs and alcohol and sexually assaulted her while she was partially or entirely incapacitated.
Accused Men’s Accounts
Four men acknowledged sexual contact but said their interactions were consensual; several said she did not appear intoxicated and initiated or participated in the activity.
What happened in the bedroom
Accuser’s Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that multiple men engaged in sex acts with her after she was brought into or remained in a fraternity bedroom.
Accused Men’s Accounts
Some accused men denied having sexual encounters with her, while others described separate consensual interactions or said they were present only briefly.
Law-enforcement response
Accuser’s Allegations
Hochul said the newly reported information raised questions about Cornell’s investigation and the decision not to bring charges.
Accused Men’s Accounts
The Tompkins County prosecutors’ decision not to pursue charges remains in place in the accounts provided, while James’s office is now conducting a new investigation.
- Alleged incident
- October 2024 fraternity party at Cornell University
- Accuser
- A former student identified in court filings as Jane Doe
- Accused
- Seven fraternity members, referred to as the “Cornell 7” in the lawsuit
- Special prosecutor
- New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Appointing official
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul
- Earlier prosecutorial decision
- Tompkins County prosecutors did not pursue charges against the seven accused men
- Civil litigation
- The woman sued Cornell, the fraternity, the seven men and her sorority
- Reported evidence
- Cornell investigators obtained differing accounts during interviews and an administrative investigation