Cornell frat rape case gets special prosecutor after new questions

New York’s governor has handed the Cornell University fraternity rape investigation to the state attorney general, citing doubts about the local prosecutor’s handling of the matter. Kathy Hochul said she had “lost faith in the Tompkins County DA’s ability to fairly oversee it.”

The case involves a woman who says she was drugged and raped by several men at a fraternity house in 2024. It gained national attention after she filed a civil lawsuit last month under the name Jane Doe.

Why the governor stepped in

Hochul’s decision removes Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from the case. Van Houten had reopened it recently, but the governor said new information raised serious questions. The DA’s office initially declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence. Van Houten said he had only seen a statement suggesting the encounter was consensual and no drugs were involved.

But Cornell said it gave the DA evidence from its own investigation, including a Snapchat group chat where fraternity members discussed a “free” sexual encounter that night. The woman’s lawyer accused Van Houten of changing his story as the case drew media coverage.

Hochul said the accuser deserves to know every fact will be examined. Attorney General Letitia James said she stands ready to lead a process guided by facts and law. If warranted, her office will prosecute any offences found and present evidence to a grand jury.

Hochul and James are set to give an update Friday morning.