Cornell retains Sally Yates to review rape case and sexual misconduct policies
- The appointment follows a civil lawsuit filed in mid-September by a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and gang-raped by seven men at...
- The civil lawsuit outlines an incident beginning on October 19, 2024, when Jane Doe attended a Tri-Delta event at Moonies Bar and Nightclub before walking to the Chi...
- No criminal charges have been filed against the men named in the lawsuit, and all individuals named have denied any wrongdoing, according to NPR reports.
Cornell University has retained former U.S. The appointment follows a civil lawsuit filed in mid-September by a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and gang-raped by seven men at a campus fraternity house in October 2024.
The Jane Doe Civil Lawsuit and October 2024 Allegations
The civil lawsuit outlines an incident beginning on October 19, 2024, when Jane Doe attended a Tri-Delta event at Moonies Bar and Nightclub before walking to the Chi Phi fraternity house. The complaint alleges that fraternity members pressured her to consume ketamine and assaulted her over several hours while she was incapable of consenting. The lawsuit includes a screenshot of a Snapchat group chat message sent at 1:41 a.m. suggesting she was available for sex.
No criminal charges have been filed against the men named in the lawsuit, and all individuals named have denied any wrongdoing, according to NPR reports. The university is named as a defendant in the civil complaint.
Sally Yates Examines Cornell Sexual Misconduct Policies
Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of the special committee, stated that Yates and her team will examine the university’s response to the Jane Doe matter as well as broader campus policies regarding sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault.
Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence and judgment to this work.Anne Meinig Smalling, Cornell University Special Committee Chair
The mandate includes determining whether Cornell followed its established policies and procedures when responding to the allegations involving the Chi Phi fraternity.
Letitia James Leads Criminal Investigation into Campus Case
In response to public criticism regarding the handling of the case by campus police and Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to lead a criminal investigation, according to NPR reports. Gov. Hochul stated that the student was failed at every turn by institutions obligated to protect her.