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A woman who alleges that members of a Cornell University fraternity drugged and raped her has received threats intended to force her to abandon her legal case, her attorney said.
The woman, identified in court documents as “Jane Doe,” has been threatened several times since she filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell students last month, attorney Thomas Cuffra told CNN. The lawsuit alleges that fraternity members drugged and raped her in 2024.
Cuffra said the threats were intended to intimidate his client into withdrawing the lawsuit. He also said he had been targeted.
University reviews fraternities and sororities
Growing criticism surrounding the allegations and the university’s response has prompted Cornell University to reassess the role of student fraternities and sororities.
University President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video address posted Saturday that the organizations’ activities would be reviewed. He said such groups can offer students friendship, mentorship and a sense of belonging, but stressed that membership does not remove personal responsibility.
Students, alumni and advocates have called on the university to increase transparency and reform its campus safety policies.
Prosecutors’ handling of the case under scrutiny
The case has also intensified criticism of how prosecutors in New York’s Tompkins County handled the initial investigation. Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the matter. The decision moved the case to the state level and drew attention to concerns about whether the initial investigation was properly conducted.
The appointment has prompted political debate beyond New York. U.S. President Donald Trump, a longtime critic of James, questioned the decision and suggested that her office would not treat fairly the people it investigates.
Attorney urges focus on allegations
Cuffra objected to the case being framed in political terms, saying attention should be focused on his client’s allegations and the pursuit of justice. The matter concerns his client’s claims, he said, rather than political disputes involving officials in the investigation.
The civil lawsuit is ongoing. The state-level investigation will examine how authorities responded to the allegations and whether further action is warranted.
The case has become one of the most closely watched controversies involving sexual assault allegations on U.S. university campuses. It has raised questions about student accountability, protections for accusers and universities’ responsibilities when faced with serious allegations.
