Woman told Cornell investigators she 'felt like bait' during alleged gang rape

Key Points:

• A woman alleging gang rape at a Cornell fraternity described feeling like "bait" surrounded by "lions," according to heavily redacted university disciplinary investigation records reviewed by the AP.
• The woman, identified as Jane Doe, sued Cornell and seven former students, claiming she was drugged with ketamine and repeatedly assaulted in October 2024; the local district attorney declined to press criminal charges after reviewing the case.
• Cornell's Title IX investigation involved 50 interviews and 12 days of hearings, revealing conflicting accounts about drug use and consent during the incident at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
• Snapchat messages showed fraternity members broadcasting the availability of the woman, and some accused men disputed involvement or claimed limited presence, with one cleared of sexual assault but found responsible for attempted sexual exploitation.
• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to reopen the criminal investigation amid criticism of the local district attorney's handling of the case.