Photo credit: Facebook/Letitia Jmaes
New York Attorney General Letitia James is now leading the criminal investigation into allegations involving a former Cornell University student and members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Oct. 1 appointing James as special prosecutor. The move follows renewed scrutiny of the original investigation, which ended without criminal charges in 2024.
The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, later filed a civil lawsuit against seven fraternity members, Cornell University, the fraternity and others. Her lawsuit brought new attention to the case and raised questions about how the original investigation was handled.
Hochul said newly released information prompted concerns about the Cornell Police Department’s work and the decision by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten not to prosecute.
What James will review
James’s office will now conduct an independent criminal investigation. Her office can determine whether charges are supported by the evidence and can present the case to a grand jury if warranted.
The appointment came after Van Houten reopened the investigation. He had defended his earlier decision, saying the woman’s initial account to police did not describe being drugged against her will, being unable to consent or being forced.
No criminal charges have been filed against the men named in the allegations. Attorneys for two of them have denied involvement in an assault.
James has said her office will examine the matter based on the facts and the law.
Why the case returned to public view
The woman reported the alleged assault to Cornell campus police in November 2024. The investigation closed without charges.
The case gained renewed attention after she filed her civil lawsuit in September 2026. The lawsuit alleges that she was given drugs and alcohol before being assaulted while partially or fully incapacitated.
Cornell has also faced scrutiny over its handling of the allegations. The university suspended Chi Phi indefinitely and said some students were disciplined or expelled. Cornell has maintained that it conducted its own investigation and has agreed to an outside review of its response.
The university’s handling of the case also became a focus of a lengthy student government forum. Students and community members called for greater transparency, stronger prevention efforts and changes involving Greek life.
What happens next
James’s appointment changes who controls the criminal investigation. Her office will review the available evidence and decide whether further legal action is warranted.
The civil lawsuit remains separate from the criminal investigation. Cornell’s outside review will also examine the university’s response to the allegations.
For now, the central question is whether the new state led investigation will produce evidence that supports criminal charges. That decision will rest with James’s office after its review.
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