Letitia James Is in Charge of the Cornell Rape Inquiry. What Comes Next?
New York Times · LC · trust 28/100
As a special prosecutor, Ms. James has wide powers over the handling of the investigation, but legal experts say the case comes with potential obstacles.
Listen · 6:30 min Share full article Attorney General Letitia James, center, has frequently waded into politically fraught matters. Credit... Hilary Swift for The New York Times By Santul Nerkar
As special prosecutor, Ms. James has wide latitude in her investigation of the case and what steps, if any, she takes.
In a lawsuit filed last month, the woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, accused several men of rape while coercing her to take drugs. None of the seven men named in the suit have been charged with a crime, and all have denied wrongdoing. Four said that they had consensual sexual contact at the fraternity house with the woman, and the others have denied participating.
How Ms. James handles the investigation will shape the trajectory of a case that has renewed conversations nationally about fraternities and sexual assault on college campuses.
Ms. James has frequently waded into politically fraught matters as attorney general, accusing President Trump of exaggerating his net worth by billions of dollars and winning a civil judgment against him in 2024. Mr. Trump’s Justice Department has repeatedly sought to indict her on federal charges.
On Friday, Mr. Trump lashed out at Ms. James and her involvement in the case, referring to her as “a corrupt person” and claiming that anyone she was investigating “won’t get a fair shake.”
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