Who is leading the New York investigation into the alleged Cornell gang rape?

Jacqueline Kelly, a former federal prosecutor who oversaw the criminal case against Sean Combs, was named to lead the investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Kelly said she would lead the inquiry with James’ office.

Why did local authorities initially decline to prosecute the alleged Cornell gang rape?

Local authorities said in 2024 that the complainant’s testimony did not establish a lack of consent. Prosecutors reopened the investigation in September, and Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James’ office to lead it.

What actions has Cornell taken in response to the alleged gang rape and criticism of its handling?

Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused students, two of whom were later expelled. It appointed former U.S. prosecutor Sally Yates to lead an internal review and suspended fraternity parties and social events for the rest of the academic year.

Ex-Diddy prosecutor to lead Cornell gang rape investigation

Listen

Summary

New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday named Jacqueline Kelly to lead an investigation into an alleged 2024 gang rape at Cornell University in New York state. The allegations, made in a lawsuit filed last month, say a female student was pressured to take ketamine and assaulted by seven male students. Local authorities had declined to prosecute in 2024, saying the complainant’s testimony did not establish a lack of consent, but prosecutors reopened the investigation in September. Cornell has also appointed Sally Yates to lead an internal review of its response.

Key Facts

Kelly oversaw Sean Combs’ 2025 conviction for prostitution-related crimes after a high-profile trial.
Kelly is now a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, a firm that represented women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse.
Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused students; two were later expelled.
Cornell announced that fraternities’ parties and social events would be suspended for the remainder of the academic year.

By AFP

Published Nov 5, 2026 2:15 am KST

Cornell University during an investigation into alleged sexual assaults at Chi Phi fraternity, in Ithaca, New York, Oct. 8. Reuters-Yonhap

NEW YORK — New York's attorney general on Wednesday named an ex-federal prosecutor who oversaw the criminal case against Sean "Diddy" Combs to lead an investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University.

The 2024 incident, as alleged in a graphic lawsuit filed last month, involved a female student being pressured to take ketamine, assaulted and raped by seven male students on campus.

Cornell, an Ivy League institution in New York state, was widely accused of failing to properly punish the men involved, and the case sparked nationwide outrage.

Attorney General Letitia James said that Jacqueline Kelly would lead a "fair and comprehensive investigation" into the alleged gang rape.

"Jacqueline Kelly is a seasoned prosecutor who has overseen numerous cases from investigation through trial," James said.

Kelly oversaw the 2025 conviction of Combs for prostitution-related crimes after a high-profile trial that detailed sexual marathons organized by the disgraced music producer.

She thanked James for "entrusting me to lead this investigation with her office."

"All New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough inquiry into the facts of this case," said Kelly, now a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, a firm that represented women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse.

Prosecutors in September reopened an investigation into the alleged gang rape, with Governor Kathy Hochul appointing James's office to lead the case.

That came after local authorities said they declined to prosecute in 2024 because the complainant's testimony did not establish a lack of consent.

Meanwhile, Cornell has named a former top U.S. prosecutor, Sally Yates, to lead an internal review into the university's response to the rape allegations.

Following her initial allegations, Cornell shut down the fraternity and temporarily suspended the accused male students, two of whom were later expelled.

But critics have said the university's response was too lenient, prompting it to launch an independent review.

Last month, Cornell announced a string of preliminary responses, including suspending all fraternities' parties and social events for the remaining academic year.

Explore More