Woman at center of Cornell rape allegations targeted with threats, lawyer says

The woman who alleged she was drugged and raped by Cornell University fraternity members has received threats to silence or harm her if she does not withdraw her civil lawsuit, her lawyer Thomas Giuffra told CNN. Giuffra said he was also threatened. Cornell's president announced a review of fraternity roles. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed the state attorney general as special prosecutor after criticism of the initial handling of the case.

The woman at the center of the Cornell University rape allegations has been targeted with threats, her lawyer said on Sunday. Thomas Giuffra, who represents the woman identified as "Jane Doe," told CNN that people have threatened to silence or harm her if she does not withdraw her civil lawsuit alleging that several members of a Cornell fraternity drugged and raped her in 2024. Giuffra said he had also been threatened, calling the perpetrators "disgusting." Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message on Saturday that the university will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus following the outcry over the school's handling of the rape allegations. Prosecutors in Tompkins County have been criticized for their initial handling of the allegations in 2024. New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week named state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to look into the case. US President Donald Trump lambasted the decision to appoint James, saying those she investigates "won't get a fair shake." Giuffra said the case shouldn't be politicized.