Cornell Assault Probe Led by Federal Prosecutor Tied to Diddy Case

New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly to lead a criminal investigation into sexual assault allegations at Cornell University. The probe focuses on claims from October 2024 involving seven fraternity members. James announced the decision on Wednesday, naming Kelly as outside counsel who will report directly to her office.

Kelly is a Cornell graduate who previously served as chief of the civil rights unit in the US attorney's office for the southern district of New York. Her tenure in that role ended in 2021. During that period, she supervised investigations involving Sean "Diddy" Combs, Peter Nygard, and Dr. Ricardo Cruciani. James described the appointment as a move to ensure a fair and comprehensive review of the evidence.

"The Office of the Attorney General is committed to a thorough investigation guided only by the facts, the evidence, and the law," James said. She added that Kelly brings criminal legal expertise and judicial experience to the role. Kelly accepted the assignment, stating she looks forward to examining all available evidence with the office.

The state-level intervention follows Governor Kathy Hochul's decision last month to name James as special prosecutor. Hochul cited a loss of faith in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who initially chose not to prosecute the case in 2024. Hochul also said those responsible for protecting the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, had failed her.

The case centers on Doe's allegation that seven men drugged and assaulted her over a seven-hour period. No arrests have been made in the matter. A civil lawsuit filed by Doe earlier this fall intensified public scrutiny of the university and local law enforcement. The lack of criminal charges drew widespread criticism from survivors' advocates and the general public.

Attorneys for one of the accused men have filed a motion to remove James as special prosecutor. They argue that a post she shared on X before her appointment shows prejudice. In that post, James called the woman's experience horrific and unacceptable. Judge James R. Farrell in New York's Sullivan County heard the request last Thursday but did not rule on it immediately. Farrell noted that all accused men must join the request before he would decide. "It's not a one-defendant case," Farrell said. "It's a potential for seven. You can't have seven different proceedings."

The investigation will now proceed under Kelly's direction while the legal challenge to James's role remains pending in Sullivan County court.