Cornell rape accuser faces threats demanding she drop her lawsuit, attorney says

Key Points:

• The woman alleging sexual assault by Cornell fraternity members has received multiple threats pressuring her to drop her lawsuit, with at least three other women mistakenly targeted due to misidentification, according to her attorney Thomas Giuffra.
• Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Cornell University and seven Chi Phi fraternity members, claiming she was sexually assaulted over several hours in October 2024 while under the influence of ketamine, alcohol, and marijuana.
• The case has intensified scrutiny of Cornell and local authorities’ handling of the allegations, prompting New York Governor Kathy Hochul to appoint Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to evaluate potential criminal charges.
• Investigations revealed that Cornell police gathered witness statements and anonymous tips in 2024, but the Tompkins County District Attorney did not review this additional information before deciding not to pursue charges, defending the decision based on the initial statement provided by Jane Doe.
• Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged the need for improvement and announced that the university’s board of trustees will initiate an independent review of the case handling next week.