In Cornell University investigation, attorney calls for Letitia James to step down as special prosecutor
An attorney for one of the seven men accused in the alleged sexual assault of a former Cornell University student at a fraternity house in 2024 is calling for Attorney General Letitia James to step down as special prosecutor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped James as special prosecutor in the case last week.
Miltenberg said there's nothing wrong with being compassionate toward someone who is making an allegation of sexual assault.
Both Hochul and James were asked about James' social media posts at a news conference to announce her appointment as special prosecutor.
Hochul said James "will follow the facts. She'll examine the evidence and go wherever it leads, and if the evidence supports charges, she will pursue them," adding that she had full confidence in her.
Miltenberg said that given James' social media post and the publicity around the case, "I believe the better institutional course is for Attorney General James to voluntarily recuse herself from this particular investigation and allow it to be led by a prosecutor who has made no prior public statements concerning the merits of these allegations."
"Jane Doe is entitled to have her allegations investigated seriously, thoroughly and respectfully. Mr. Lopes is equally entitled to have the evidence concerning him evaluated individually, fairly and with an open mind," he said. "Publicity is not evidence. Repetition is not proof. This investigation should be about the facts and the law—not politics, social media or public pressure."
Miltenberg has previously said his client "unequivocally denies the allegations against him."
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- An attorney for one of the seven men accused in the alleged sexual assault of a former Cornell University student at a fraternity house in 2024 is calling for Attorney General Letitia James to step down as special prosecutor.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul tapped James as special prosecutor in the case last week.
- Miltenberg said there's nothing wrong with being compassionate toward someone who is making an allegation of sexual assault.
- Both Hochul and James were asked about James' social media posts at a news conference to announce her appointment as special prosecutor.
- Hochul said James "will follow the facts. She'll examine the evidence and go wherever it leads, and if the evidence supports charges, she will pursue them," adding that she had full confidence in her.