Cornell University has appointed Sally Yates, the former acting U.S. attorney-general, to lead an independent internal review into a sexual assault claim made by a former student. The announcement was made on October 6 amid mounting criticism over the university’s initial handling of the case.

Yates, a partner at the white-collar law firm King and Spalding, was named with a mandate to examine not only the specific allegation but also the broader policies and procedures Cornell employs in addressing sexual assault reports. The university emphasized that Yates and King and Spalding would operate with full independence throughout the review.

The case stems from an incident reported to have occurred in October 2024 at a fraternity party, where the plaintiff, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, alleges she was sexually assaulted by multiple men. She filed a lawsuit in September 2026 against Cornell, seven individuals, a fraternity, and her sorority, claiming the university fostered a campus culture that allowed such an assault to occur and subsequently failed to conduct a thorough investigation after she reported the incident to campus police.

Following the assault, Jane Doe filed a report with Cornell University Police Department (CUPD) three weeks later. The report was forwarded to the Tompkins County district attorney, who declined to pursue charges. All accused individuals have denied any wrongdoing, and none have been formally charged. The fraternity involved, Chi Phi, has been banned from the campus.

Cornell carried out its own investigation that included thousands of pages of transcripts, text messages, and hours of interviews. A disciplinary panel convened over 12 days in May 2025, resulting in the expulsion of two men, suspension of others, and a ban on one individual from campus. However, the panel did not find conclusive evidence that Jane Doe was sexually assaulted by all the accused parties.

The handling of evidence by the district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, has come under scrutiny. While Van Houten stated that only a brief summary was provided by CUPD, records indicate that more extensive evidence was offered but not reviewed. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul publicly criticized Van Houten and appointed Attorney General Letitia James to reassess the case and determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Independent reviews led by outside law firms are a common response to high-profile university scandals. Past examples include Penn State’s investigation into abuse by former football coach Jerry Sandusky and Columbia University’s probe into sexual misconduct by a former gynecologist. Such investigations often receive mixed reactions regarding their thoroughness and outcomes.

Yates, 62, brings extensive experience in law enforcement and crisis management to the role. She served nearly four decades at the U.S. Department of Justice, was the first woman to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, and held the position of deputy attorney-general under President Barack Obama. She is also known for authoring the influential “Yates memo” on prosecuting corporate wrongdoing and previously headed the U.S. Soccer Federation’s investigation into abuse allegations in women’s professional soccer.

Her appointment to lead Cornell’s internal review signals the university’s intent to conduct a rigorous examination of its response to the allegations and review its policies on sexual assault prevention and support.