Cornell Assault Probe Handed to Diddy Prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly

Letitia James has assigned a high-profile federal prosecutor to lead the state investigation into a sexual assault allegation at Cornell University.

The New York Attorney General announced the appointment on Wednesday. Jacqueline Kelly will guide the review into an incident alleged to have occurred at a fraternity house in 2024.

Kelly served as the first chief of the civil rights unit in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. She now serves as a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. The firm previously represented women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse.

James described Kelly as a seasoned prosecutor in a statement. She noted that Kelly has overseen numerous cases from investigation through trial. James said she is confident Kelly will lead a fair and comprehensive investigation.

Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the review on October 1. She raised concerns that the local district attorney did not properly assess the case. Kelly thanked James for the opportunity. She stated that all New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough inquiry into the facts of the case.

A former Cornell student filed a lawsuit in September under the name Jane Doe. She accused seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of drugging and assaulting her. The alleged incident took place on October 19 and 20, 2024, at the chapter house. The woman reported the incident to the university and campus police in November 2024.

Records show the Cornell University Police Department interviewed several witnesses and obtained other evidence. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten declined to bring charges. He said a six-page statement from Jane Doe did not describe a potential crime. His team did not review additional statements from Jane Doe or other interviewees.

Lawyers for two accused fraternity members have asked state judges to disqualify James from leading the case. They argue her past social media comments in support of Jane Doe show bias. Those requests are pending. James said her investigation will be fact-based and that her remarks were rooted in empathy for the accuser.

Kelly specializes in high-profile regulatory or criminal investigations. She worked on the New York indictment against Peter Nygard, who was sentenced in Canada in 2024 to 11 years in prison for sexual assaults. She also handled a case against Ricardo Cruciani, a pain management doctor accused of abusing patients in several states.

In 2025, Kelly oversaw the prosecution that led to Sean Combs' conviction for transportation to engage in prostitution. Jurors acquitted Combs of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy counts. He is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence.

Winston Lee, one of the men accused in Jane Doe's lawsuit, is represented by Teny Geragos. Geragos also defended Combs at his federal trial. She declined to comment on Kelly's appointment.