Writer Ben Ryan questioned New York Attorney General Letitia James’s impartiality as special prosecutor in the Cornell rape investigation, citing a statement she issued three days before her appointment. James had written, “To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.” Ryan argued that her description of the accuser as a survivor indicated she had already judged the seven accused men guilty.

Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed James by executive order to investigate allegations of sexual assault at a Cornell fraternity in October 2024 and, if warranted, prosecute offenses and present evidence to a grand jury. Hochul said, “I’ve lost faith in the Tompkins County DA’s ability to fairly oversee it,” citing new information about how the case was handled.

Prosecutors reopened the investigation after the former student filed a civil lawsuit in September alleging that Cornell failed to protect her. The district attorney said her original police statement did not specifically allege nonconsensual conduct; her lawyer disputed that account, saying the statement and lawsuit were similar. Cornell supports reopening the criminal investigation and denies treating the accused fraternity members leniently.