Gang rape allegations prompt former prosecutor Kelly to lead Cornell investigation; Diddy case cited

Investigation team appointed

Kelly, who oversaw sex-crimes cases involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and fashion executive Peter Nygård, was appointed to lead the inquiry. James said Kelly’s team will collect evidence, interview witnesses, examine investigative records and reports, and assess the facts and relevant law.

Challenge to James’s role

Two men named as defendants in the former student’s lawsuit want James removed from the investigation. They say a social media post she made before her appointment showed support for the accuser and demonstrated bias. A judge has yet to decide their request.

Van Houten said he would restart the investigation after the lawsuit was filed. The accuser’s lawyer, however, said the district attorney was preparing to present the case to a grand jury within two weeks.

Kelly’s legal background

A Columbia Law School graduate, Kelly spent nearly a decade as a prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office. She led its criminal division’s civil rights unit and handled investigations and prosecutions involving civil rights, voting rights, sex crimes and hate crimes.

Campus case draws scrutiny

The allegations have unsettled Cornell, an Ivy League university, and prompted questions about how universities, police departments and local prosecutors handle campus sexual assaults. James’s office focuses on civil litigation and consumer protection, and has previously used outside counsel to assist with investigations.