Cornell defendant is fighting AG Letitia James’ appointment as special prosecutor

Key Points:

• Gillio Lopes, one of seven men named in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student, has petitioned to block NY Attorney General Letitia James' appointment as special prosecutor, alleging bias and presumption of guilt.
• The petition argues James' public statement expressing support for the accuser before her appointment demonstrates prejudice, and seeks to annul or modify her role in the investigation and prosecution.
• Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James after expressing dissatisfaction with the initial investigation by Tompkins County DA, and has publicly supported James’ impartiality and commitment to a fact-based inquiry.
• The civil lawsuit alleges the woman was sexually assaulted and gang-raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house, which Cornell suspended and sanctioned with expulsions and suspensions following a Title IX investigation.
• Lopes and attorneys for other accused men have denied the allegations, and an independent review of Cornell’s handling of the case will be led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates.