Cornell defendant is fighting AG Letitia James’ appointment as special prosecutor

Gillio Lopes, one of the seven men accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit by a former Cornell University student, has filed an Article 78 petition to block New York Attorney General Letitia James from serving as special prosecutor. The petition, filed in Albany County Supreme Court against James and Governor Kathy Hochul, alleges that James has demonstrated a 'presumption of guilt' and bias based on her public social media comments supporting the accuser. Governor Hochul, who appointed James after expressing dissatisfaction with the local District Attorney’s initial investigation, maintains full confidence in the Attorney General's ability to conduct a fair probe based on facts and law.

Gillio Lopes, one of the seven men accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit by a former Cornell University student, has filed an Article 78 petition to block New York Attorney General Letitia James from serving as special prosecutor. The petition, filed in Albany County Supreme Court against James and Governor Kathy Hochul, alleges that James has demonstrated a 'presumption of guilt' and bias based on her public social media comments supporting the accuser. Governor Hochul, who appointed James after expressing dissatisfaction with the local District Attorney’s initial investigation, maintains full confidence in the Attorney General's ability to conduct a fair probe based on facts and law.