Cornell sexual assault case: Woman at centre of rape allegations got threats to withdraw lawsuit, lawyer says

A woman who has alleged that she was drugged and raped by several Cornell University fraternity members has been threatened with harm if she does not withdraw her civil lawsuit, her lawyer said on Sunday.Thomas Giuffra, who represents the woman identified as "Jane Doe", told CNN that she had received multiple threats aimed at forcing her to drop the lawsuit, which alleges that several members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2024."She's received multiple threats," Giuffra said on CNN's "State of the Union". He said he too had been threatened.Giuffra said the threats were an attempt to protect the status quo surrounding the case. "I'm not afraid of these people," he said, while describing those behind the threats as people trying to prevent scrutiny of what happened.The allegations have triggered renewed scrutiny of Cornell's handling of the case, as well as the actions of local prosecutors who initially did not pursue criminal charges. The woman filed the civil lawsuit in September against seven fraternity members, Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity and other defendants.The case dates back to October 2024, when Jane Doe, then a Cornell student, alleged that she was given alcohol, marijuana and ketamine at the Chi Phi fraternity house before being sexually assaulted after becoming incapacitated. The accused men have denied wrongdoing, with some saying the sexual activity was consensual.New York AG takes over Cornell rape investigationThe handling of the allegations has come under fresh scrutiny after reports revealed discrepancies between the woman's detailed account to campus police and the shorter sworn statement that was provided to prosecutors.In one interview with police, she reportedly told investigators that she was certain she had been raped, but that assertion was not included in the statement sent to prosecutors.Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten had initially declined to pursue charges in 2024. After the civil lawsuit triggered renewed attention, he reopened the criminal investigation and said his office would present evidence to a grand jury for possible indictment.However, New York Governor Kathy Hochul later said she had "lost faith" in the Tompkins County DA's ability to fairly oversee the case. She appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, meaning James' office will now oversee the criminal investigation.Hochul has also criticised the initial handling of the allegations by Cornell police and local prosecutors, saying the woman had been failed by institutions that were supposed to protect her.Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said on Saturday that the university would review the role of fraternities and sororities on campus following the public outcry. He said such organisations could provide students with friendship and community, but "being part of a group can never diminish individual responsibility."US President Donald Trump has criticised the decision to appoint James, saying the people she investigates would not get a "fair shake". Giuffra, however, said the case should not be turned into a political issue."It has nothing to do with politics," he said.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.