New York governor attacks handling of Cornell gang rape case, appoints special prosecutor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday faulted police and prosecutors for failing to fully investigate an alleged gang rape in 2024 at Cornell University, saying she was “deeply disturbed” by how the incident was handled.

Hochul was speaking at a press conference alongside state Attorney General Letitia James, ‌whom she appointed on Thursday night as a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations.

The case has drawn fresh scrutiny after the alleged victim filed a lawsuit accusing fraternity members of raping her while she was intoxicated, prompting widespread outrage over how the matter was handled in 2024.