Cornell Defendant Seeks AG James’ Removal From Probe

Attorneys for Gillio Lopes, one of seven Chi Pi members sued over an alleged Cornell gang rape, filed an Article 78 petition Wednesday in Albany County Supreme Court to remove Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor and named Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appointed her. Three days before that appointment was announced, James posted on X that what the young woman endured was horrific and unacceptable. On Monday she said she would lead a comprehensive investigation guided only by the facts, evidence, and law. Contested: Lopes attorney Stuart Bernstein said James's statements validating Jane Doe do not instill confidence in a fair investigation; the petition argues bias and a presumption of guilt. Donald Trump said defendants will not get a fair shake under James. Sarita Komatireddy also said James prejudged the matter. Andrew Miltenberg said he disagrees with Cornell's outcome as to Lopes. Jane Doe's attorney Thomas Giuffra said police drew guns on her family in a Tuesday swatting and that somebody could have been killed; he also said he thinks she was misled when DA Matthew Van Houten declined charges in 2024 and later reopened after the civil suit. Sally Yates is leading Cornell's independent review.