Hochul stops short of calling for Cornell resignations as James takes over rape probe

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Friday stopped short of calling for the resignations of the president of Cornell University and the local prosecutor who handled allegations of gang rape there in 2024, though she called the school’s handling of the incident “a failure.”

In response to questions about calls for the officials to step down, Hochul said, “I don’t have enough information at this time,” while standing next to state Attorney General Letitia James (D), whom she has appointed as a special prosecutor in the case.

In their Friday press conference, Hochul chastised Cornell police for how they handled the investigation into a 20-year-old woman’s allegation she was gang raped at the Chi Phi fraternity after being given alcohol and drugs.

“I’m deeply disturbed at Cornell University’s police and how they handled this. They were the first ones to be able to interview and have their questions answered, and let this young woman tell her story. Them sending a partial record over [to prosecutors] is a, in my judgment, a failure,” Hochul said.

“We’ll have the attorney general and others find out if this was actually the case of what happened. But somebody knew more than they were letting people know,” she added.

The woman, called Jane Doe in her lawsuit to remain anonymous, reported the assault three weeks after it allegedly occurred. The district attorney at the time said he did not pursue charges because her statement made it seem the sexual encounters were voluntary.

But documents obtained by CBS News reportedly showed Jane Doe telling Cornell police that she was “100% certain” she was raped. That statement, however, allegedly did not make it into the report the police sent to the district attorney’s office.

Hochul said university President Michael Kotlikoff was receptive to outside counsel investigating how Cornell handled the case. The governor avoided a question on whether she thought Kotlikoff should resign.

“They’re having a board meeting. They had immediate willingness to go out and find what I’ve asked for outside counsel to conduct a fully independent investigation. I’m waiting for those results,” Hochul said.

The press conference came a day after Hochul appointed James to the case, saying she lacked confidence in the district attorney to proceed with the matter.

“I stand ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law. In the coming months, my office will dutifully carry out the responsibilities the governor has conferred upon us in this executive order. We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and, if warranted, pursue prosecutions,” James said.

James declined to comment on a Facebook post she made in support of Jane Doe days ago and whether it brings her impartiality into question, but Hochul said she has “every confidence in our attorney general to do what she has always done: Look at the facts, examine the record, and draw the proper conclusions. That’s exactly what’s going to happen in this case.”