Hochul’s documentary appearance draws criticism amid renewed Cornell investigation

Politics · First reported 1 Nov, 10:00 · Updated 11:58

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center / Jonny Kim · Public domain

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appears in a Netflix documentary about allegations involving seven Cornell students and discusses the case and her past experiences. The men have not been criminally charged; a defense attorney criticized Hochul’s participation and questioned its effect on perceptions of fairness.

Hochul appeared in the documentary “Instadocs: Jane Doe v. Cornell,” commenting on the allegations and recalling reported rapes during her time as a Syracuse University undergraduate.
Hochul assigned Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in October; none of the seven men accused has been criminally charged.
Defense attorney Donna Rotunno criticized the appearance and said it could intensify concerns about the fairness of the investigation. A spokesperson for Hochul said governors routinely speak to media about matters of significant public interest.

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Key facts

Documentary: “Instadocs: Jane Doe v. Cornell”
Accused: Seven men; none has been criminally charged
Special prosecutor: Hochul assigned Attorney General Letitia James in October
Civil lawsuit: The accuser alleged in a lawsuit that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a fraternity house in 2024