Attorney says Jane Doe facing threats, calls out alleged ‘failures’ of Cornell, law enforcement
Attorney Says Jane Doe Facing Threats After Cornell Lawsuit
Tyunews.com – An attorney says Jane Doe facing threats after she filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped at a Cornell University fraternity. Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said people have tried to identify her publicly and that the alleged intimidation has added to the strain of coming forward anonymously.
Giuffra said his client remains committed to pursuing the case despite the attention and alleged harassment. He said her decision to speak out reflects a desire to prevent others from having to face similar circumstances.
“Jane Doe is fearless,” Giuffra said.
Attorney criticizes Cornell and law enforcement response
The attorney says Jane Doe facing threats while questions continue about how the allegations were handled by Cornell, law enforcement and prosecutors. Giuffra described the response as a series of failures rather than an isolated mistake.
“It’s been the most incredible sequence of failures I’ve seen in my 30-plus years of practice,” Giuffra said.
Cornell said on Sept. 21 that it takes sexual-violence allegations seriously and that the claims were investigated and resolved through university procedures. The university later said its Title IX inquiry resulted in sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions.
University President Michael Kotlikoff called the incident a defining moment in an Oct. 3 video message and pledged changes to campus culture, procedures and policies. Cornell also said it would select an outside law firm to review its response and the subsequent investigation.
State attorney general now leads criminal investigation
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue charges in 2024. He reopened the matter on Sept. 27 after speaking with Jane Doe and Giuffra following the filing of the civil lawsuit.
Van Houten defended his earlier assessment, saying he believed Jane Doe had consented at the outset and that the statement reviewed at the time did not indicate she withdrew consent during the sexual activity described.
Van Houten said that if Jane Doe had said she no longer consented, continued sexual contact would constitute a crime.
Gov. Kathy Hochul later removed Van Houten from the case and appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to oversee the criminal investigation. The state investigation proceeds separately from the civil lawsuit, which has different standards and possible outcomes.
Disputed accounts and evidence
Lawyers for accused fraternity members have maintained that Jane Doe consented or have sought to distance their clients from parts of the allegations. Giuffra disputed those arguments and said they conflict with accounts from witnesses who were present that night.
He also defended Jane Doe’s decision to secretly record some of the men involved, saying she was trying to understand events that he said left her traumatized. Giuffra pointed to a Snapchat group conversation inviting people to join as significant evidence, calling it a “smoking gun.”
FAQ
What does it mean that Attorney General Letitia James is leading the investigation?
The appointment moves responsibility for the criminal investigation from the local district attorney’s office to the New York attorney general’s office. It does not determine the outcome of the case.
Is the civil lawsuit the same as a criminal case?
No. A criminal investigation may result in charges brought by the government, while a civil lawsuit allows an individual to seek accountability through the courts under a separate legal process.
What is Cornell doing in response?
Cornell has said it conducted a Title IX investigation, imposed sanctions and plans to use an outside law firm to review its response to the allegations and the investigation that followed.