Lawyers for accused man in Cornell case want Letitia James removed as prosecutor

Gillio Lopes, one of seven Chi Phi fraternity members accused in a 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University, has filed an Article 78 petition to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James as the special prosecutor in a civil case. The petition, filed in Albany County Supreme Court, alleges that James' past social media comments demonstrate a bias and a presumption of guilt. While James was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul and supported by Cornell, the defendants have denied all allegations and currently face no criminal charges.

Gillio Lopes, one of seven Chi Phi fraternity members accused in a 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University, has filed an Article 78 petition to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James as the special prosecutor in a civil case. The petition, filed in Albany County Supreme Court, alleges that James' past social media comments demonstrate a bias and a presumption of guilt. While James was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul and supported by Cornell, the defendants have denied all allegations and currently face no criminal charges.