Letitia James appointed an outside counsel to lead the Cornell rape investigation
New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly, a Cornell alumna and former Manhattan federal prosecutor, as outside counsel to lead a reopened criminal investigation into alleged gang rape at Cornell University. A former student’s September lawsuit accuses seven Chi Phi members of giving her drugs and sexually assaulting her at a fraternity house in October 2024.
More context
New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor, as outside counsel to lead the reopened criminal investigation into gang rape allegations at Cornell University.
Kelly, a Cornell alumna and partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, previously oversaw sex-crimes cases against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and fashion executive Peter Nygård.
The investigation follows a September lawsuit in which a former Cornell student accused seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of plying her with drugs and sexually assaulting her at the fraternity house on Oct. 19 and 20, 2024. Kelly and a team of lawyers and investigators from her firm and the attorney general’s office will gather evidence, interview witnesses, review records and reports, and analyze the facts and law, James said.
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Reporting
- The Washington Post — Former federal prosecutor to lead investigation into alleged gang rape at Cornell - The Washington Post
- CNN — Former federal prosecutor to lead Cornell sex assault investigation - CNN
- NBC New York — Former ‘Diddy' prosecutor to lead Cornell sexual assault investigation - NBC New York
- Greenwich Time — Cornell rape investigation will be led by a former prosecutor in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs case - Greenwich Time
- NBC News — Former ‘Diddy’ prosecutor to lead Cornell sexual assault investigation - NBC News
Verifier’s note
The Washington Post, CNN, NBC New York, Greenwich Time carrying AP, and NBC News all report that Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly as outside counsel to lead the Cornell sexual-assault investigation. Their reports were published on November 4, 2026, and support the proposed event.