Cornell case: Accuser targeted in swatting, lawyer says, as accused man seeks AG's exit

The woman at the center of the reopened Cornell fraternity case was targeted in a swatting incident at her family's home this week, according to her lawyer, as threats against her escalate. Separately, a lawyer for one of the men she accuses is asking New York's attorney general to step away from the criminal investigation.

## What happened

On Tuesday evening, a police officer in her hometown responded to a false report that a man had shot his mother and sister, according to a police report described by CNN. The officer, believing there was an active shooter, went to the home and detained two men in a car leaving the driveway. They turned out to be her brother and her boyfriend.

Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, told CNN that officers pointed weapons at her boyfriend, brother and father, and that her boyfriend was forced to the ground. Giuffra said police and the FBI are investigating. No police or FBI statement on the investigation was included in CNN's report.

"Swatting" is when someone makes a fake emergency call to send armed police to a person's home.

## The threats

Giuffra estimates she has received dozens of threats since she filed her lawsuit in mid-September, according to CNN. They include a text with three gun emojis and a recorded call, shared by Giuffra, in which a caller urged her to drop the case and warned that "blood will be shed."

Giuffra told CNN she is "terrified" and has been taping paper over her parents' windows. He described the threats as moving from the "lunatic fringe" to "somebody taking real steps to harm you."

NBC News reported on Oct. 4 that people trying to unmask her had also targeted at least three women who were wrongly identified as her.

## Request for the attorney general to step aside

Attorney Andrew Miltenberg, who represents one of the seven former Chi Phi members named in the lawsuit, wants New York Attorney General Letitia James to step aside as special prosecutor, Fox News reported Friday.

Miltenberg points to a Sept. 28 post on James's official X account, which said the woman had endured something "horrific and unacceptable" and ended with "We stand with you." He argues the post shows James accepted the allegations before reviewing the evidence. He told Fox News his concern is "not political, and it is not personal."

Gov. Kathy Hochul named James's office special prosecutor on Oct. 1. James later posted that her office would investigate "fully and fairly." Fox News reported no response from James's office to the recusal request.

## Background

The former student's lawsuit alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by members of Cornell's Chi Phi chapter in October 2024. It names Cornell, the fraternity chapter, seven former members and others. All of the accused deny wrongdoing, according to CNN.

The Tompkins County district attorney declined to file charges in the case. He has said her initial statement to police did not allege criminal conduct, according to NBC News. No one has been criminally charged.

Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff has said the university is reviewing the case further, and the school appointed former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates to examine how it handled sexual assault claims, CNN reported.

## What happens next

The attorney general's office is still reviewing whether criminal charges are warranted, and it has not said when that review will end.

NextGen America does not name the woman, who is identified as Jane Doe in court papers, or the men named in the lawsuit, none of whom has been charged with a crime.