Woman at centre of Cornell rape allegations targeted with threats, lawyer says

• The woman accusing Cornell students of drugging and raping her has faced multiple threats, according to her lawyer Thomas Giuffra.
• Cornell University plans to review fraternity and sorority roles after criticism of its handling of the allegations.
• New York's Attorney-General Letitia James was named special prosecutor for the case, sparking political comments, but the lawyer urges to keep the case non-political.

WASHINGTON – The woman who has alleged that she was drugged and raped by Cornell University students has been the target of threats, her lawyer said on Oct 4.

Thomas Giuffra, who represents the woman identified as “Jane Doe”, told CNN that people have threatened to silence or harm her if she does not withdraw her civil lawsuit alleging that several members of a Cornell fraternity drugged and raped her in 2024.

“She’s received multiple threats,” Giuffra said on CNN’s “State of the Union”.

Giuffra said he has also been threatened.

“I’m not afraid of these people,” he said. “But the threats, the abuse to protect what’s going on, the status quo – these guys are disgusting. They should stay in their mother’s basement and stay out of the world.”

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff said in a video message on Oct 3 that the university will examine the role of fraternities and sororities on campus following the outcry over the school’s handling of the rape allegations.

“At their best, these organisations can provide ​students with friendship, belonging, mentorship and a powerful sense of community,” he said. “But being part of ​a group can never diminish individual responsibility.”

Since the lawsuit was filed in September, prosecutors in Tompkins County, New York, have been criticised for their initial handling of the allegations in 2024.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has named state Attorney-General Letitia James as special prosecutor to look into the case.

US President Donald Trump, a critic of James for years, lambasted the decision to appoint her.

“And I feel badly for whoever she’s looking at because they won’t get a fair shake,” Trump told reporters on Oct 2.

Asked about Trump’s comment, Giuffra said the case should not be politicised.

“It has nothing to do with politics,” he said. AFP