A Cornell University student accused of sexual assault in a high-profile lawsuit is seeking to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from the criminal investigation, alleging she is biased.
According to CNN, lawyers for Gillio Lopes argue that James publicly appeared to support the alleged victim before being appointed special prosecutor.
The case involves allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted by multiple students at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024.
Following the filing of a civil lawsuit in September, James posted a statement expressing support for the woman.
“What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable,” James wrote.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James to oversee the investigation on 1 October after expressing concerns about the local district attorney’s handling of the allegations.
Lopes’ lawyer, Andrew Miltenberg, argues that James’ comments suggest she had already formed an opinion about the case.
However, lawyers representing the attorney general rejected the claims, describing her statement as a “single empathetic remark” that did not indicate bias.
A New York judge is scheduled to hear arguments on Thursday.
Lopes denies the sexual assault allegations, with his lawyer maintaining that his encounter with the woman was consensual.
Meanwhile, Cornell University is facing growing scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault complaints, with an independent investigation also under way.
