New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that Jacqueline Kelly, a former federal prosecutor who led the criminal case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, will oversee an investigation into a 2024 sexual assault at a Cornell University fraternity house.
The probe was ordered by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 1 after concerns were raised about the local district attorney’s handling of the case. Kelly, a Cornell graduate and partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, will lead a team reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing facts and applicable law. The investigation stems from a September lawsuit filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe, which accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a party on Oct. 19–20, 2024.
Kelly’s Appointment and Background
Kelly, a Columbia Law School graduate, served as a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office for nearly a decade and led the civil rights unit in the criminal division. She previously oversaw high-profile sex crimes cases, including those against Combs and fashion executive Peter Nygård. James stated in a release that Kelly is a "seasoned prosecutor" with "criminal legal expertise" and "commitment to public service."
Kelly thanked James for the opportunity, emphasizing that "all New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough inquiry into the facts of this case." She added that she would examine "all available evidence" in her review.
Legal and Institutional Response
The lawsuit alleges that the former Cornell student was subjected to a gang rape after a consensual threesome at the fraternity house. The woman reported the incident to Cornell University Police in November 2024 and later dropped out of school. Records reviewed by NBC News indicate that campus police interviewed several witnesses, though the investigation’s findings have not been publicly disclosed.
In a separate legal development, two defendants named in the lawsuit have filed a motion seeking to remove James from the investigation. They argue that James is biased due to a social media post she made before her appointment expressing support for the accuser. A judge has not yet ruled on the motion.
Scope of the Investigation
Kelly and her team, which includes investigators from the Office of the Attorney General, will gather evidence, review investigative records, and analyze the facts and applicable law. The team will report directly to James, who was appointed by Hochul as a special prosecutor overseeing the Cornell probe. James, a Democrat, made the announcement one day after winning re-election to a third term as attorney general.
The investigation marks a significant escalation in the case, which had previously been handled by local authorities. The appointment of Kelly, who has experience with high-profile sexual assault cases, underscores the gravity of the allegations and the state’s commitment to a thorough review.