Cornell Alumna Leads Rape Probe

Jackie Kelly has been appointed to lead the criminal investigation into a former Cornell University student's rape claim. New York Attorney General Letitia James named Kelly on Wednesday to determine if the allegations merit charges.

Kelly is a Cornell alumna and former prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. She currently works at Boies Schiller Flexner, representing women who allege trafficking or abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. Her prior federal role included serving as the inaugural Civil Rights Unit Chief, where she oversaw prosecutions of Sean Combs and Peter Nygard.

Governor Kathy Hochul removed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten earlier this month. Van Houten had previously declined to bring charges, stating that Jane Doe's 2024 account of a gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house was morally disturbing but did not meet the legal definition of rape. He had planned to send the evidence to a grand jury before his removal.

James appointed herself special prosecutor last month and hired Kelly to gather evidence and conduct interviews. Kelly stated she looks forward to using her federal experience to examine all available evidence. She noted that all New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough inquiry.

Two of the seven fraternity brothers accused in the incident have asked for James's removal. Their attorney, Stuart Bernstein, argued that James's social media posts before her appointment create an appearance of prejudgment. James has called the claims without merit, while Governor Hochul expressed full confidence in James's handling of the case.

The attorney general's office says Kelly has no deadline to reach a conclusion. There is no statute of limitations for the most serious sex offenses in New York. However, the two-year statute of limitations for misdemeanors has already expired.