NY Attorney General Letitia James Launches Probe Into Cornell University’s Handling Of Rape Allegations

As the lawsuit filed against seven members of Cornell University’s Chi Pi fraternity who are accused of gang raping a student in 2024 continues to stir up a fresh storm for the accused and the university, New York Attorney General Letitia James‘ office has launched a review into Cornell’s initial response to allegations.

According to MS NOW, more than a dozen defendants, including university officials, are named in the lawsuit filed this month by the alleged victim, identified only as Jane Doe. As we previously reported, Doe’s attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, has alleged that the accused students, none of whom have been charged with crimes as of yet, were not sufficiently disciplined by the university, and that they were allowed to write essays as a form of punishment, which Cornell has denied, saying, “None of the individuals charged were offered the opportunity to write essays as a sole consequence of their involvement,” and that the fraternity was barred from campus in 2024, and it remains so.

Giuffra also alleged that his client “was not contacted by investigators from the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office or any investigators trained in interviewing rape survivors” after making her initial report to Cornell University police. As previously reported, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that his office had reopened an investigation into the rape allegations.

“There has been a lot of comments with respect to his handling of the case, and we look forward to the outcome to ensure that justice is served and there is accountability for the survivor,” James told Spectrum 1 News this week.

James also tweeted about the case, writing, “What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable. I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers. To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”

According to The Cornell Daily Sun, on the same day James announced the review, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) called for an independent review of the university’s handling of the case to “determine whether Cornell met every obligation to protect its students and pursue justice.”

SEE ALSO:

Cornell Gang Rape: Fraternity Text Messages Revealed

Prosecutors Reopen Investigation Into Gang Rape Allegations At Cornell