Cornell Hires Ex-Acting AG Sally Yates to Lead Sexual Misconduct Probe
Cornell University appoints former acting attorney general Sally Yates to investigate a high-profile sexual misconduct case at the school.
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Cornell University has appointed Sally Yates, a former acting U.S. attorney general, to lead an independent investigation into a high-profile sexual misconduct case involving a fraternity and a female student. The incident, which occurred in October 2024, has sparked a national conversation about campus safety, due process, and the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct at elite universities.
The Allegations
The case centers around a woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who alleges she was sexually assaulted by multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell. According to a lawsuit filed in September 2024, Jane Doe claims she was too intoxicated to consent to sexual activity and was given ketamine under pressure. The lawsuit names seven male members of the fraternity, the fraternity itself, the university, and other parties. All of the men involved have denied the allegations.
The incident has been described as a polarizing moment at Cornell, with conflicting accounts and evidence emerging over time. The New Yorker has noted that the case is marked by a welter of confusing and contradictory information, much of which suggests reprehensible behavior, though the precise nature of the alleged rape remains unclear.
Yates’ Appointment and Background
Cornell has chosen Sally Yates to lead a comprehensive review of how the university addresses sexual harassment, sexual assault, and related misconduct. Yates, who was previously a deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama, served as acting attorney general after President Donald Trump took office in 2017. However, she was fired by Trump shortly after his inauguration for refusing to defend his controversial immigration ban. Trump called her actions an act of insubordination, claiming she had “betrayed the Department of Justice.”
Despite her controversial firing, Cornell has cited Yates’ extensive experience and independence as key factors in her selection. She is also noted for leading an independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer at U.S. Soccer.
Scope of the Investigation
The scope of Yates’ investigation includes a detailed review of Cornell’s response to the allegations involving Jane Doe and the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. The review will examine whether the university followed its policies and procedures in handling the matter. Additionally, the investigation will assess Cornell’s existing rules for responding to sexual assault allegations in the context of Title IX, the Clery Act, the Violence Against Women Act’s Campus SaVE Act, and New York State law, as well as recognized best practices in higher education for preventing and responding to sexual misconduct.
“Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence, and judgment to this work,” said Anne Meinig Smalling, Chair of the Special Committee investigating the incident. “The questions raised by the Jane Doe matter warrant a rigorous examination of Cornell’s response to that case, but our responsibility is broader. We have asked Ms. Yates and her team to examine Cornell’s overall approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, identify where we are doing things well and where we can do better, and recommend changes that will help make our community safer,” Smalling added.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The case has drawn significant media attention, with outlets like The New Yorker and WNBC-TV highlighting the complexity of the evidence and the conflicting narratives surrounding the incident. The media coverage has also raised questions about the role of social media in shaping public perception and the potential for misinformation in high-profile cases.
I never thought that there was a paucity of lawyers in New York, but it seems that they are rounding up the usual suspects in politicized litigation. First, Gov. Hochul appoints Letitia James, the single most political AG in the country, as special counsel. https://t.co/15x8zz4LLn Now Cornell has hired Sally Yates as its investigator. https://t.co/VEbEScfGsd Yates ordered Justice Department attorneys not to assist Trump after he was elected in 2016 on his immigration policies. https://t.co/iLdot76EpO …
As the case continues to make headlines, Cornell has emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in its handling of the situation. The university has stated that the investigation will be conducted with the utmost seriousness, and that the findings will be made public to ensure that the community is informed and that any necessary changes to policies and procedures are implemented.
@Cornell I thought you were serious about an outside investigation, that is until I see you’ve engaged Sally Yates. I am not longer convinced you want any depth in the investigation, sadly!
The appointment of Sally Yates has also sparked discussions about the broader implications of her past actions and how they might affect the current investigation. While her experience and independence are seen as assets, her history of being fired by Trump for insubordination has led to some skepticism about her impartiality.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Can’t Cornell keep this apolitical?
Despite these concerns, Cornell has maintained that Yates’ expertise and commitment to justice make her a suitable choice for the role. The university has also emphasized that the investigation will be conducted in a manner that is fair and thorough, with the goal of improving campus safety and addressing any systemic issues related to sexual misconduct.
In the coming weeks, the findings of the investigation will be closely watched by students, faculty, and the wider public. The outcome of this review could have significant implications for how universities across the country handle similar cases in the future.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
