Cornell University: Ex-prosecutor examines handling of rape allegation

Cornell University in the US has hired a well-known former prosecutor to investigate the elite university's handling of an alleged gang rape of a female student in 2024. Sally Yates, who served as U.S. deputy attorney general and attorney general from 2015 to 2017 and briefly served as acting director of the Justice Department, will conduct a "thorough review" of the university's response to the rape allegations, the university said.

It is "imperative" that Cornell is willing to examine itself with the same rigor that the university expects from others, said University Council Chairwoman Anne Meinig Smalling. It's not just about understanding what happened in 2024, "but also understanding how Cornell can lead the way in preventing sexual violence, supporting those who come forward, and responding to allegations rigorously, fairly and compassionately," said Smalling. There had previously been days of protests over the university's handling of the rape allegations.

Not everyone suspected of being involved was suspended

A former Cornell University student said she was drugged with the anesthetic ketamine by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024 and then raped by the group. The then 20-year-old victim said she contacted the campus police around three weeks after the incident. However, their statements did not lead to a trial. Cornell University banned the student association after the allegations, but only suspended some of those allegedly involved from the university.

The elite university's student newspaper brought the case to light. Among other things, it raises questions about what the university, the campus police and the responsible district attorney did when the person concerned contacted the police in November 2024.

Investigations are being resumed

After the alleged victim filed a civil lawsuit against the university in September, the district attorney's office had already announced that it would reopen the investigation. New York State Attorney General Letitia James is leading a criminal investigation into the case. Governor Kathy Hochul had also called for an independent investigation into Cornell University's handling of the case. Yates is to lead this investigation.

A focus in the criminal investigation could be on the alcohol consumption that is said to have preceded the gang rape. Accordingly, there is a loophole in the law in many US states that makes it difficult for prosecutors to bring charges if the alleged victim has voluntarily become so intoxicated that his or her ability to consent to sex is severely impaired.