Pelosi cancels event linked to Cornell University — The Hill

Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has canceled an event with the Cornell Institute for Politics and Global Affairs that was scheduled for October 15 in New York, United States. This comes amid increased scrutiny of how Cornell University responded to allegations of a suspected gang rape on campus in 2024.

As The Hill reports, a source close to the Democrat explained the event’s cancellation by horrific allegations of sexual violence and serious concerns about the university’s response. The independent student publication Cornell Sun was the first to report the cancellation.

Investigation reopened

State prosecutors reopened the investigation this week after a former Cornell University student filed a new lawsuit. The woman, identified in the document as Jane Doe, alleges that she was drugged and gang-raped at a fraternity house in 2024.

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The plaintiff accuses seven fraternity members of drugging her and subjecting her to sexual violence for several hours while she was unable to consent. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said that no criminal charges were filed in 2024 because the woman’s initial statement to police, according to him, did not mention being drugged against her will or gang rape. The plaintiff’s lawyers disputed this account and called the initial investigation inadequate.

Special prosecutor in the case

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed an order appointing state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the case. Hochul cited serious concerns about the actions of Cornell University police and Van Houten during the initial investigation.

Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, who studied at Cornell, also called on the university to respond more actively to the situation. She said that accountability in the case has been delayed and that this must stop.