Attorney Demands Letitia James Step Down as Special Prosecutor in Cornell Sexual Assault Case

Lawyer urges AG Letitia James to recuse from Cornell case over social media comments. Investigation under scrutiny.

October 6, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — A defense attorney for one of seven men accused in a 2024 sexual assault allegation at a Cornell University fraternity is urging New York Attorney General Letitia James to step down as special prosecutor.

The lawyer, Andrew Miltenberg, representing Gillio Lopes, argued that James should recuse herself due to prior public statements about the case on social media. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James as special prosecutor last week to oversee the investigation into the alleged assault.

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Miltenberg emphasized that his concern stems from the need to maintain trust in the investigation’s impartiality, not from political or personal motives. He noted that James had previously described the victim’s experience as ‘horrific and unacceptable’ and expressed support for survivors, but said these comments could be seen as premature before she took on her role.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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