Cornell assault probe puts federal prosecutor in charge

Seven fraternity members face criminal scrutiny over a seven-hour period in October 2024 when a Cornell University student alleges they drugged and sexually assaulted her.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday that Jacqueline Kelly will lead the criminal investigation. Kelly served as chief of the civil rights unit in the US attorney's office for the southern district of New York through 2021. She is a Cornell graduate and will act as outside counsel reporting directly to James. James described the role as leading a "fair and comprehensive criminal investigation."

James said the office is committed to a process guided only by facts, evidence, and law. She noted that Kelly has overseen numerous cases from investigation through trial. "With her criminal legal expertise, commitment to public service, and judicial experience, I am confident that she will lead a fair and comprehensive investigation," James said. Kelly thanked James for the appointment and said she looks forward to lending her federal prosecutor experience to examine all available evidence.

Kelly supervised several prominent criminal investigations during her time in the US attorney's office. Those cases involved Sean "Diddy" Combs, Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard, and Dr. Ricardo Cruciani. Cruciani faced charges tied to sex trafficking and sexual abuse. The appointment follows Governor Kathy Hochul naming James as special prosecutor last month. Hochul stated she had "lost faith" in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's ability to oversee the case. She pointed to his decision not to prosecute in 2024.

Hochul said those responsible for protecting the accuser, known as Jane Doe, including police, had "failed" her. The absence of arrests and a civil lawsuit filed by Doe earlier this fall sparked public backlash against the university and law enforcement. Attorneys for one of the accused men moved to remove James as special prosecutor. They claimed "prejudice" based on a post James shared on X before her appointment. In that post, James wrote: "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."

Judge James R. Farrell weighed whether James could run the investigation impartially at a hearing last Thursday in Sullivan County. He put off a decision on her removal. Farrell indicated that all accused men would need to join the request before he would rule. "It's not a one-defendant case," Farrell said. "It's a potential for seven. You can't have seven different proceedings."