Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged gang-rape at Cornell

Key Points:

• New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to independently investigate the alleged 2024 gang-rape at Cornell University, ensuring a thorough and unbiased inquiry.
• Hochul expressed loss of confidence in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten after he initially declined to prosecute, citing concerns over the handling of the investigation by local authorities.
• The alleged victim, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit in September against seven men, Cornell University, and the fraternity involved, sparking national outrage and scrutiny of the university's response.
• Van Houten has reopened the investigation following new information from the lawsuit, although he previously stated the victim’s initial police account lacked key allegations such as drugging or forced sex.
• Cornell University has suspended the Chi Phi fraternity indefinitely and taken disciplinary actions but has withheld details due to privacy laws; the university also agreed to an independent external review of its handling of the allegations.