Key facts
- The Tompkins County DA's office declined to review additional interview transcripts from the Cornell University Police Department.
- The DA's office stated that the victim's statement did not allege nonconsensual sexual activity as defined by New York law.
- Governor Hochul faulted the Cornell University Police Department for providing an incomplete narrative to the DA's office.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has removed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from a case involving an alleged gang rape at Cornell University and appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. The decision came after the DA's office declined to pursue criminal charges, stating that the provided information did not meet the elements of criminal conduct under New York law. Documents reviewed by ABC News indicate that the DA's office declined to review additional interview transcripts gathered by university police, relying instead on a six-page summary of the accuser's statements. Governor Hochul criticized the DA for not performing the 'bare minimum' and faulted the Cornell University Police Department for submitting an incomplete record.