Letitia James Seeks to Stay on Cornell 7 Probe Amid Challenge

WHO:

NBC News - New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a response opposing an effort to bar her from serving as special prosecutor in the Cornell University rape investigation.

NBC News - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, appointed James as special prosecutor.

NBC News - Gillio Lopes is one of seven men sued over allegations that a woman was raped at a Cornell fraternity house. Attorneys for Lopes and Winston Lee said their clients deny the accusations.

NBC News - The lawsuit identifies the woman as Jane Doe.

TMZ - James said she posted about the alleged victim out of empathy and could investigate without prejudice against the accused men.

WHAT:

NBC News - Lopes’ attorney petitioned to remove James as special prosecutor, alleging that she “unequivocally demonstrated a bias and presumption of guilt.” James argued the petition’s claims “are not justiciable,” that there is no standing, and that the court should reject it even if standing existed.

NBC News - James wrote that the petitioner was asking the court to “impermissibly void a discretionary action by the Governor.”

NBC News - Attorneys for Lee filed a separate motion seeking to disqualify James from any future grand jury proceedings; the matter is pending. James’ office spokesperson said it had not formally responded.

NBC News - No criminal charges have been filed.

NBC News - James said she was “committed to leading a comprehensive investigation they can trust, guided only by the facts, the evidence, and the law.”

WHERE:

NBC News - The allegations concern a Cornell University fraternity house; the investigation involves university police and the local district attorney’s office.

WHY:

NBC News - Hochul cited concerns about how university police and the local district attorney’s office handled the woman’s sexual-assault allegations.

NBC News - The bias motions cited a Facebook post on James’ attorney general account expressing support for the woman and survivors: “What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable. I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers.” It continued, “To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”

HOW:

NBC News - James’ opposition argued that the governor has authority to appoint a special prosecutor.

NBC News - The woman alleged in a lawsuit that she was raped and given drugs at the fraternity house; messages in a group chat about her on the night of the alleged assault contributed to public outrage.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 23:19 UTC)

New York Attorney General Letitia James is opposing an effort to remove her as special prosecutor in an investigation into a woman’s allegations of rape and drugging at a Cornell University fraternity house. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed James, citing concerns about how university police and the local district attorney’s office handled the case. An attorney for Gillio Lopes, one of seven men sued over the allegations, asked a court to disqualify James, saying her public support for the woman showed bias. Attorneys for Lopes and another defendant, Winston Lee, say their clients deny the accusations. James argued the petition lacks legal standing and seeks to overturn the governor’s discretionary appointment. Lee’s attorneys have separately sought to bar James from future grand jury proceedings; that motion is pending. James says she can lead a fair investigation guided by the facts, evidence and law. No criminal charges have been filed.