NY Governor Hochul vows to close rape law loophole, appoints AG James as special prosecutor in Cornell gang rape case

Published Oct 4, 11:23 AM UTC

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has vowed to close a loophole in state rape law that makes it difficult to prove sexual assault when a victim voluntarily consumed alcohol or drugs. The announcement comes amid a crisis at Cornell University, where a former student alleges she was gang-raped by several men at a fraternity house after being coerced into consuming drugs. Hochul criticized Cornell police and Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten for their handling of the case, noting that the victim's statement that she was '100 percent confident that she had been raped' was omitted from materials sent to the DA, who declined to pursue charges without interviewing her. Hochul has appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor on the case, and Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has agreed to an independent review. The State Senate has previously attempted to change the law through legislation, but the Assembly has not brought the bill up for a vote. Hochul stated she will work with lawmakers 'early' when they return to Albany in January.