AG appoints former ‘Diddy’ prosecutor to lead Cornell sexual assault investigation
Aisha Patel is a dedicated education reporter with a Master’s degree in Education from Columbia University. She has spent the last four years covering public education issues for local radio and print outlets, passionately advocating for the needs of students and teachers in the Ithaca area.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James has appointed outside counsel to investigate allegations of an October 2024 sexual assault at a former fraternity house on Cornell’s campus. Jacqueline Kelly, a former federal prosecutor and Cornell alumna, will lead the criminal investigation, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Attorney General’s Office. The appointment comes amid a national media firestorm surrounding a lawsuit filed in September by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who accused seven men of drugging and raping her. The lawsuit also names Cornell University and other defendants. All seven men have denied wrongdoing. The case has also raised questions about how the allegations were investigated when Jane Doe first reported them two years ago. Last month Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had “lost faith” in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to investigate the case. He has faced criticism for not gathering more evidence or pursu