Sally Yates, former acting AG who clashed with Trump, leading Cornell assault probe
Sally Yates, whose career in the Department of Justice spanned about three decades, will lead an independent review on how Cornell University responds to sexual harassment, assault and misconduct on campus, the university announced Tuesday.The decision comes in the wake of national outrage over allegations made by a former Cornell student last month that she was gang-raped and plied with drugs at a fraternity in 2024.New York Attorney General Letitia James is also investigating the allegation.
A spokesperson said staff from the attorney general’s office have “spoken with the Tompkins County District Attorney, Jane Doe’s attorney, and several candidates for outside counsel to support the investigation.”The independent probe headed by Yates will look into how the university responded to those allegations and whether the school followed its policies and procedures, according to the university.More broadly, the review will examine Cornell’s policies and practices spanning from prevention to response.
It will include how reports are investigated, how disciplinary decisions are handled, and how students are supported, the university said.The investigation will also look into the role and response of campus police, and its coordination with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
Yates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.“Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence and judgment to this work,” Anne Meinig Smalling, the chair of the university’s Special Committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees, said in a statement.An attorney for one of the Chi Phi members who was accused of sexual assault, Gillio Lopes, said they welcome the independent investigation.
“Sally Yates has tremendous experience as a prosecutor and investigator, and she and her team should have access to the full record and the freedom to follow the facts wherever they lead,” Attorney Andrew Miltenberg said.Lopes denies sexually assaultin...