New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says Jane Doe in Cornell case was ‘failed’ by the system

Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed the New York attorney general to investigate the rape allegation at Cornell.Alexander MacDougall / Albany Times Union via Getty ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleOct. 2, 2026, 9:26 AM EDT / Updated Oct. 2, 2026, 10:01 AM EDTBy Daniel Arkin and Matt LavietesNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday she believes the former Cornell University student who alleges she was raped by fraternity members in 2024 was “failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her.”

“I will not allow anyone to sweep this case under the rug,” Hochul told reporters at a Friday morning news conference in New York City.

Hochul, reading from prepared remarks, confirmed that she had appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to carry out a “fresh and thorough review” of all the facts in the case nearly two years after a district attorney declined to pursue criminal charges.

“We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses and, if warranted, pursue prosecutions,” James said at the news conference. “I know that you want answers. I do, too.”

Hochul said she believes Cornell University did not provide enough information about the accuser’s account of the alleged sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. Hochul also faulted Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten for not conducting a more comprehensive investigation.

“In what world does the district attorney not even interview her or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript” of Jane Doe’s interview with Cornell University campus police, Hochul said.

Van Houten did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on Hochul’s remarks, and he did not respond to multiple requests for comment on James’ appointment.

Add to GoogleHochul appoints Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell sexual assault case00:48The accuser, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, reported the alleged assault to university police in November 2024, about three weeks after she said it took place, according to a civil lawsuit. The Ivy League university then sent a sworn statement to Van Houten’s office.

Van Houten’s office “determined the alleged facts as set forth in the statement do not constitute a crime,” the district attorney has said. In a statement Monday, Van Houten said the sworn statement Jane Doe provided to campus police “did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped.”

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NBC News has not independently verified the transcript.

Jane Doe’s lawsuit names the fraternity, her sorority chapter, Cornell and others as defendants.

The national Chi Phi organization has called the sexual assault allegations at Cornell University “deeply concerning,” and the sorority said it could not comment on pending litigation. Cornell has defended its 2024 investigation and said it welcomes the new probe.

Daniel ArkinDaniel Arkin is a senior reporter at NBC News.

Matt LavietesI’m a reporter on NBC News’ breaking news team, covering crime, extreme weather, pop culture and more. I recently covered Hurricane Milton, which devastated the Tampa, Florida, metropolitan area, and the student-led protests at Columbia University.