Hochul's Netflix documentary appearance raises questions over investigation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 14:11 · Archive

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has faced backlash for appearing in a Netflix documentary about an alleged gang rape at Cornell University while a special prosecutor investigates the case.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared in a Netflix documentary about an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University, prompting concerns from legal observers about the fairness of the ongoing investigation. In 'Instadocs: Jane Doe v. Cornell', which has recently been released, Hochul speaks about 13 minutes into the film, describing her reaction to the allegations as 'how disgusting, not again'. She also reflected on her time as an undergraduate at Syracuse University in the late 1970s, where she said there were 'a series of rapes our first week on campus'.

Hochul signed an executive order in October assigning New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate the case. None of the seven men accused, named as Cornell Chi Phi fraternity brothers, have been criminally charged. The woman filed a civil lawsuit naming the seven men, the university, her sorority and others, alleging she was drugged and gang raped inside a frat house in 2024.

Hochul's appearance in the documentary has drawn backlash, with legal observers questioning whether it casts an 'air of impropriety' over the investigation by the special prosecutor. In the film, Hochul condemned what she called a 'culture' of sexual assault that 'has never changed'.

How it is being reported

• Hochul slammed for cameo in Netflix doc on ‘Cornell 7’ alleged frat gang rape: ‘Air of impropriety’"My first reaction was how disgusting, not again. You feel like, not again," Hochul told the interviewer before speaking about her time at Syracuse University.New York Post · 1 Nov, 13:55
• Gov Hochul's cameo in Cornell sex-assault documentary casts ‘air of impropriety’ over investigation: attorneyKathy Hochul appeared in the Netflix documentary about the Cornell rape case, prompting Donna Rotunno to question the prosecution's fairness.Fox News · 1 Nov, 10:00

In this story: Kathy Hochul · Letitia James · Cornell University · Netflix · Chi Phi · New York · Syracuse University

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