A bar ethics complaint has been filed against New York Attorney General Letitia James over her handling of the Cornell University sexual assault case.
The National Legal and Policy Center, a Washington, DC-based watchdog group, lodged the nine-page complaint with the New York State Supreme Court’s Attorney Grievance Committee. The group argues that James, 66, compromised her ability to serve as special prosecutor by posting on social media about the case before her appointment.
Two days before being tapped to reopen the investigation into an alleged October 2024 gang rape at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house, James wrote on X: “What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable.”
“To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you,” she added in the Sept. 28 post.
The complaint contends that by declaring which account of the drug-fueled party she believed prior to any investigation, James violated New York rules of professional conduct. “It is clear that she must recuse herself from having anything to do with this case to preserve the impartiality and integrity of any investigation and prosecution,” the filing states.
Legal ethicist Jack Marshall submitted an expert witness report alongside the complaint. “The violation is flagrant, obvious and therefore shocking,” Marshall said. “I find it remarkable that the top lawyer in the state of New York could possibly be so unfamiliar with the professional ethics standards of her own state, which have the force of law.”
Marshall added that James’ statement “raises suspicion of a rigged, pre-determined and illicit investigation.”
Two of the accused men, Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes, had already filed court documents seeking James’ removal from the case. They argued she “made clear… She has already reached the conclusion… The defendants are guilty.”
James pushed back against the criticism during Thursday night’s attorney general debate against Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy. “Those comments demonstrate empathy,” James said. “And what we need now more than ever in our body politics is more empathy.”
“Politics stops at the door in my office,” she insisted.
A spokesperson for her office defended the attorney general’s approach. “In this and every investigation, the Office of the Attorney General is committed to conducting a comprehensive review of nothing but the facts, the evidence and the law,” the spokesperson told The Post.
The complaint demands that James either recuse herself or be removed from the case entirely.
James was appointed special prosecutor to investigate what happened at the Chi Phi house on Oct. 19, 2024, and to present evidence to a grand jury if warranted. The case involves seven fraternity members, dubbed the “Cornell 7,” who were accused by a Jane Doe plaintiff in a lawsuit of participating in the alleged sexual assault.
James faces re-election in November.