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New York police will investigate Cornell sex complaints, governor says

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Under the newly signed directive, all upcoming sexual offense allegations at Cornell must be transferred immediately to the New York State Police instead of remaining under university jurisdiction. The enforcement follows a federal lawsuit alleging a female student was drugged and gang-raped by seven men at a fraternity house earlier this year. University leadership has acknowledged systemic missteps after initially defending its response, while Governor Kathy Hochul named state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to examine potential criminal charges.

Key points

  • Campus police will no longer hold exclusive jurisdiction over sexual offense investigatio…: Campus police will no longer hold exclusive jurisdiction over sexual offense investigations occurring at Cornell University.
  • Cornell's Faculty Senate has scheduled a symbolic no-confidence vote concerning universit…: Cornell's Faculty Senate has scheduled a symbolic no-confidence vote concerning university president Michael Kotlikoff and the current administration.
  • Attorney General Letitia James will serve as a special prosecutor to determine if crimina…: Attorney General Letitia James will serve as a special prosecutor to determine if criminal charges should be filed.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

New York police will now investigate Cornell sex complaints, governor says

- Published

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that state police will now investigate all future sexual offence complaints at Cornell University after the fallout from a gang rape accusation at the institution.

It follows the handling of a 2024 alleged campus rape incident, where a student, known anonymously as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against Cornell after she was allegedly drugged and gang raped at a fraternity.

The university, after initially defending its disciplinary measures, acknowledged it fell short in its handling of her case.

The fallout has continued to rile the university. Cornell's administration - including its president - is facing a no-confidence vote by its faculty.

Watch: New York governor blasts handling of Cornell rape inquiry

- Published2 October

Hochul said New York State Police signed an agreement with Cornell University so that all sexual offence complaints, which had historically fallen under the jurisdiction of university police, will be immediately referred to state police instead.

"When someone reports sexual assault," Hochul said on Thursday, they…

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