Cornell rape case dispute prompts independent probe

A former Cornell University student who alleges she was gang-raped in October 2024 told police in a sworn statement that she was "raped," according to her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, who cited the transcript and confirmed the quote via text. The statement contrasts with comments from Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who said the victim’s 2024 statement did not describe drugging or gang rape and portrayed the sexual activity as consensual. Van Houten said his office is reexamining the case and is seeking the interview transcript from Cornell, which he described as part of a confidential Title IX investigation.

No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men the student accuses of assaulting her, and she filed a civil lawsuit against them and the university in September. In response to public criticism, Cornell announced it will hire outside counsel to conduct an independent review of its handling of the case. The university has not commented on whether campus police shared all investigatory information with the district attorney, after a FAQ page was edited to remove that claim.

Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an external investigation and indicated she is considering legislation to strengthen sexual-assault laws in New York. "While we have some of the toughest laws on sexual assault on college campuses right here in New York, I think we can do better," she said in a video posted on social media.