**Title: NY Governor Appoints Special Prosecutor in Cornell Fraternity Rape Investigation**
*Published: October 2, 2026*
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the state's attorney general as a special prosecutor to investigate the alleged gang rape of a woman at Cornell University. The case has garnered significant attention following the woman's claims that she was drugged and assaulted by multiple men at a fraternity house in 2024.
The decision to appoint a special prosecutor comes in the wake of a civil lawsuit filed by the woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe in court documents. This lawsuit, submitted last month, has reignited public interest and scrutiny regarding the handling of the case, which had previously been closed without charges.
In her announcement, Governor Hochul expressed her concerns about the initial investigation led by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, stating, “New information has raised serious questions about how this case was handled, and I've lost faith in the Tompkins County DA's ability to fairly oversee it.” As a result, Van Houten has been removed from the case.
Van Houten's office has defended its prior decision not to file charges, asserting that there was insufficient evidence to meet the legal threshold for prosecution at that time. He noted that the case was reopened following the civil lawsuit, and emphasized that many details about the case had not been shared with his office previously.
In her statement, Governor Hochul underscored the importance of a thorough investigation, saying, “The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued.”
The attorney general, Letitia James, who will now oversee the investigation, stated her commitment to a fact-based process. “The Governor has entrusted my office with this investigation, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,” she said, indicating that her office would prosecute any offenses that may arise from the investigation and present evidence to a grand jury if warranted.
The allegations against the fraternity, which have come to be known as the actions of the "Cornell Seven," involve claims that the woman was drugged and assaulted by seven men. In the civil lawsuit, Doe alleges that Cornell University failed to protect her and did not adequately punish the individuals involved.
Cornell University has stated that it provided evidence to the district attorney's office from its own investigation, which included a Snapchat group chat where fraternity members discussed a "free" sexual encounter with Doe on the night of the alleged incident.
Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has been vocal in criticizing the district attorney's handling of the case, claiming that Van Houten has altered his narrative in response to media coverage.
As the investigation progresses, Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are expected to provide updates on the case, with a press conference scheduled for Friday morning local time. The developments in this high-profile case are closely watched by the public, as it raises broader questions about sexual violence, accountability, and the responsibilities of educational institutions in protecting their students.
The situation continues to unfold, and many are awaiting further details on the investigation and its implications for those involved.