Lawyers fighting N.Y. AG’s role in Cornell assault investigation say she isn’t ‘viable’ as prosecutor

Key Points:

• Former Cornell fraternity member Gillio Lopes filed a petition seeking to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in a sexual assault lawsuit, alleging bias due to James' public statements supporting the plaintiff.
• Lopes' lawyers cited a social media post by James expressing solidarity with the alleged victim, arguing it showed James had prejudged the case and failed to represent all New Yorkers impartially.
• Judge James R. Farrell did not immediately rule on the request, questioning the appropriateness of James' comments but noting the complexity of having multiple defendants challenge the prosecutor separately.
• Attorney General James and her office denied the claims of bias, emphasizing their commitment to an investigation based solely on facts and law, while Governor Kathy Hochul defended James' appointment.
• Another defendant separately sought to bar James from grand jury proceedings, with a decision pending, as the civil lawsuit alleges a gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024, with no criminal charges filed yet.