Cornell defendant is fighting AG Letitia James appointment as special prosecutor
One of the seven men named in the lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student who alleges that she was sexually assaulted at an on-campus fraternity house has filed a petition to block New York Attorney General Letitia James’ appointment as special prosecutor in the case.The attorney for Gillio Lopes, who has denied that he sexually assaulted the woman, filed a petition in Albany County Supreme Court on Wednesday.His filing states that James should not be the prosecutor in the case because she has “unequivocally demonstrated a bias and presumption of guilt against the defendants named in the Civil Case.”The Article 78 petition, filed against Gov.
Kathy Hochul and James, is a proceeding used to challenge an action by a state or local government officer or agencies in New York.Add to Google‘Everybody is here for her’: Cornell students stage sit-in for Jane Doe 04:30Hochul last week appointed James to independently investigate Jane Doe’s allegations in the lawsuit in which she stated she was plied with alcohol, sexually assaulted and gang-raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.In her role, James will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
AG James’ office declined to comment on the Article 78 filing.In a statement on Monday, James said: “My office enforces our state’s laws to protect all New Yorkers.I am committed to leading a comprehensive investigation they can trust, guided only by the facts, the evidence, and the law.” Hochul’s office on Wednesday reiterated support for James.Hochul’s office when reached for comment on Lopes’ filing, the governor’s office referred to her comments last week.“I have every confidence in our Attorney General to do what she has always done: look at the facts, examine the record and draw the proper conclusions.
That’s exactly what’s going to happen in this case,” Hochul said at the time.Gov.Kathy Hochul last week appointed James as special prosecutor to independe...