Hochul Seeks Outside Probe Into Cornell's Handling of 2024 Rape Allegation

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an independent investigation into how Cornell University responded to a 2024 gang rape allegation, saying the case raises broader questions about the institution's reporting, response and prevention systems.

The allegation dates to October 2024, when a woman says she was sexually assaulted by seven students at the Chi Phi fraternity house on Cornell's campus. Her lawsuit, filed this month, claims she was pressured into snorting ketamine, smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol until she was incapable of consenting to sex.

The woman, identified in court filings by the pseudonym Jane Doe, reported the incident to Cornell's campus police. The local district attorney's office initially declined to prosecute, but reopened the criminal investigation on Monday as public outrage grew.

Hochul, a Democrat, said she supported the decision by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to revive the case. She also urged that an outside law firm be hired to independently examine the university's handling of the matter.

"The allegations in this case are nothing short of horrifying," Hochul said in a statement. "For any student to come forward after an experience like this takes extraordinary courage. No student should ever be left wondering whether the institutions meant to protect them will listen and act."

Van Houten defended his office's earlier actions in several media interviews on Tuesday. He said the male students involved had done things that were "morally wrong," but argued that the woman's initial account to police did not include allegations that she was drugged, incapacitated beyond the ability to consent, or forced into sex.

"She went to the police because she knew it wasn't right," Van Houten said.

The district attorney has not released the woman's sworn statement, instead issuing a summary that includes some of her direct quotes. He said no further investigation was needed after her initial interview because police had gathered all the information through what he described as a detailed and comprehensive statement.

Van Houten's office did not speak directly with the woman, though he had told police he would meet with her to explain the law. He also dismissed a photo included in the lawsuit, which the complaint says shows a group chat between fraternity members discussing the night's events, calling it a "red herring" with no bearing on the legal analysis of consent.

Cornell publicly disclosed in 2024 that it was investigating "serious and deeply disturbing allegations of drug abuse and sexual violence" at the Chi Phi house. The university announced that the fraternity and several students had been suspended while parallel police and school investigations proceeded.

On Monday, Cornell said it supported the decision to reopen the criminal investigation, adding that its own inquiry had led to some students being disciplined or expelled. The Chi Phi chapter remains barred from campus. The university has declined to release further details on individual student discipline, citing privacy rules.

The lawsuit accuses Cornell of failing to prevent the alleged assaults and of not properly addressing sexual violence on campus. An email seeking comment was sent to the university on Tuesday.