Cornell University has appointed Sally Yates to conduct an independent review of its handling of sexual-assault allegations connected to an alleged October 2024 gang rape at a Chi Phi fraternity house, according to Fox News. Yates and her firm, King & Spalding, will be given access to internal case files, Greek-organization oversight records, law-enforcement communications and disciplinary materials.
The allegations involve a civil lawsuit filed last month by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who says she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members after a party. One defendant, Jonathan Newell, was expelled after a Title IX investigation, the woman’s lawyer told TMZ, according to the Daily Mail. Separately, the Daily Wire reported that a watchdog group filed an ethics complaint over New York Attorney General Letitia James’ public comments before her appointment to lead a criminal investigation.