Cornell rape probe led by ex-prosecutor in Diddy case

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday that a reopened criminal investigation into gang rape allegations at Cornell University will be led by former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly.

Kelly, a Cornell alumna and partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, will serve as outside counsel for the probe, which was initiated by a former student’s lawsuit alleging multiple men raped her at a fraternity party in October 2024.

Kelly and her team will gather evidence, interview witnesses, review records, and analyze the facts and law. They will report directly to James, who was appointed as special prosecutor by Gov. Kathy Hochul last month.

Two men named in the lawsuit are seeking James’ removal from the investigation, citing her alleged bias due to a prior social media post supporting the accuser. A judge has not yet ruled on the motion.

Kelly, a Columbia Law School graduate, previously worked as a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office for nearly a decade, handling cases involving sex crimes, civil rights, and hate crimes.

She left the U.S. Attorney’s Office last year to join Boies Schiller Flexner, where she focuses on regulatory and criminal investigations and represents victims of sexual assault and other crimes.

James appointed Kelly to lead the Cornell probe, emphasizing her experience and commitment to a fair and thorough inquiry. The investigation is expected to take months.

The former student, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that men pressured her into using ketamine and marijuana, leaving her too intoxicated to consent. She later reported the incident to campus police and the Title IX office.

The case has raised questions about how universities, police, and local prosecutors handle campus sexual assault. Cornell recently hired former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review its policies and procedures on sexual assault and harassment.

Kelly has previously prosecuted high-profile cases, including a Bronx music teacher sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing students and members of the Lucchese crime family.