DA in Cornell University case says he never saw transcript of campus police interview with alleged rape victim

September 30, 2026 / 10:14 AM EDT / CBS New York

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten says he never saw a transcript of a conversation between an alleged rape victim and investigators showing what she told Cornell University campus police before his office decided not to bring charges.

The transcript, which CBS News New York exclusively obtained from a source, shows the victim told campus police more than three weeks after the alleged assault, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped."

"I'm going to follow up on this because this is news to me," Van Houten told CBS News New York on Tuesday about the transcript.

Cornell conducted an internal investigation into the alleged fraternity gang rape that occurred Oct. 19-20, 2024, and led to expulsions, suspensions and other sanctions. Criminal charges, however, were not pursued, and prosecutors have now reopened their criminal investigation as the law enforcement response has come under new scrutiny.

Van Houten said his decision not to bring charges was based on the contents of a 2024 statement signed by Jane Doe, the alleged victim.

When Van Houten was told by CBS News New York's Mahsa Saeidi that Jane Doe had said…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/