Letitia James names former prosecutor to lead Cornell sexual assault investigation | new York

New York Attorney General Letitia James has tapped a former prosecutor involved in the Sean “Diddy” Combs case to lead a criminal investigation into allegations of a 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University.

On Wednesday, James appointed Cornell alumna Jacqueline Kelly to serve as outside counsel and conduct a “fair and complete criminal investigation.” Kelly, former head of the civil rights unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, will report directly to James’ office.

“The Attorney General’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation guided only by the facts, evidence and law,” James said, adding, “Jacqueline Kelly is a seasoned prosecutor who has overseen numerous cases from investigation to trial. With her criminal legal expertise, commitment to public service and judicial experience, I am confident she will conduct a fair and complete investigation.”

Kelly released his own statement, saying, “I thank Attorney General James for entrusting me to lead this investigation with his office. All New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough investigation into the facts of this case. I look forward to bringing my years of experience as a federal prosecutor to the Attorney General’s Office as we review all available evidence.”

During Kelly’s tenure in the U.S. Attorney’s Office through 2021, she oversaw several high-profile criminal investigations, including cases involving Sean “Diddy” Combs, Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard and Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, who were facing charges related to sex trafficking and sexual abuse.

Kelly’s appointment comes a month after Gov. Kathy Hochul named James special prosecutor in the case, saying she had “lost confidence” in Tompkins County Prosecutor Matthew Van Houten’s ability to oversee the investigation, especially after his decision not to pursue the case in 2024.

Hochul pointed out that those who were responsible for protecting Jane Doe – including the police – had “failed” her. The reopened case centers on the Cornell student’s allegations that seven fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her for seven hours in October 2024.

The lack of arrest, followed by Doe’s filing of a civil complaint earlier this fall, triggered serious public backlash and criticism of the university and law enforcement.

Lawyers for one of the accused men sought to remove James from her position as special prosecutor, alleging “bias” regarding a position she shared on X before her appointment. In his message, James wrote: “What this young woman was forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable. I hold her in my heart and in my prayers. To her and all survivors: you are not alone. We stand with you.”

At a hearing last Thursday in New York’s Sullivan County, Judge James R. Farrell questioned whether James could impartially oversee the investigation. However, he postponed a decision on his expulsion, saying all the accused men would have to join the request before he could rule on it.

“This is not a case involving just one defendant,” Farrell said, adding, “There are potentially seven. You can’t have seven different proceedings.”