Cornell defendant is fighting AG Letitia James’ appointment as special prosecutor

One of the seven men named in the lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student who alleges that she was sexually assaulted at an on-campus fraternity house has filed a petition to block New York Attorney General Letitia James’ appointment as special prosecutor in the case.

The attorney for Gillio Lopes, who has denied that he sexually assaulted the woman, filed a petition in Albany County Supreme Court on Wednesday. His filing says James should not be the prosecutor in the case because she has “unequivocally demonstrated a bias and presumption of guilt against the defendants named in the Civil Case.”

The Article 78 petition, filed against James and Gov. Kathy Hochul, is a proceeding used to challenge an action by a state or local government officer or agencies in New York.

Hochul appointed James last week to independently investigate Jane Doe’s allegations in the lawsuit, in which she says she was plied with alcohol, sexually assaulted and gang-raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. In her role, James will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

James’ office declined to comment on the Article 78 filing.

In a statement Monday, James said: “My office enforces our…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business