A defense attorney for one of the men accused in a civil rape lawsuit at Cornell University has petitioned a New York judge to remove Attorney General Letitia James as the special prosecutor of the case. The lawyer argues that James' public post expressing support for the accuser shows bias against the defendants. The petition, filed by Gillio Lopes, one of seven men named in the lawsuit, claims James' social media statement demonstrates a conflict of interest. James' office has dismissed the petition as 'procedurally defective and substantively meritless,' stating that courts have upheld the governor's authority to appoint a special prosecutor. The case has drawn significant public attention, with James previously leading high-profile investigations against figures like Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo.
October 29, 2026
Cornell Rape Case: Lawyer Asks Judge To Remove AG From Probe
A lawyer for accused Cornell men seeks to remove AG Letitia James from a rape case probe, citing her social media post supporting the accuser.
Impact
The legal challenge highlights growing concerns over potential bias in high-profile criminal investigations and the role of public figures in shaping judicial outcomes.