Editor’s note: this article references sexual assault.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D-N.Y.) launched an investigation into Cornell’s response to the alleged 2024 Chi Phi gang rape on Tuesday, according to CNN.
The launch of James’ investigation into Cornell occurred the same day 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.”
James’ statement comes just two weeks after Doe, a former Cornell student, filed a lawsuit alleging that she was coerced into consuming drugs and gang raped by several men at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024. Doe is now suing Cornell, Chi Phi fraternity organizations, seven current and former students, sorority organizations, the former president of Cornell’s Chi Phi chapter, a local bar and several unnamed individuals.
The district attorney for Tompkins County reopened a criminal investigation into the case on Monday.
James wrote that what the victim, referred to as Jane Doe, was “forced to endure” was “horrific and unacceptable,” in a Monday statement posted to X.
“I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers,” James added.
James has served as attorney general since 2019, and is both the first woman to be elected attorney general and first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York. After triumphing in the democratic primary uncontested, James is running against Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also called for a “truly independent and exhaustive investigation” into the handling of the case on Wednesday. He wrote that he hopes to leave “no stone unturned.”
Some comments on James’ post critiqued her statement and claimed that her response to Doe’s initial report of the incident in 2024 was inadequate.
“To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you,” James concluded in her statement.
Giselle Redmond is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is an assistant news editor for the 144th Editorial Board and can be reached at gredmond@cornellsun.com.
