Threats Warn 'Jane Doe' to Drop Cornell Rape Lawsuit: Lawyer

The Cornell alumna who says she was raped at a fraternity house in 2024 is now receiving threats urging her to abandon her lawsuit, her lawyer said Sunday, per NBC News. Attorney Thomas Giuffra told CNN on Sunday that people trying to expose the woman identified in court as "Jane Doe" have also harassed at least three women wrongly believed to be her; he said he, too, was threatened Sunday morning. Reuters notes the hashtag #IAmJaneDoe has cropped up from supporters to show solidarity, and the AP notes "countless" numbers of people have come forward to back her on social media.

Giuffra did not say who issued the threats or whether they'd been reported to police. Jane Doe sued Cornell and seven Chi Phi fraternity members last month, alleging she was assaulted for hours in October 2024 while under the influence of ketamine, alcohol, and marijuana. The case has triggered criticism of Cornell and local authorities, led Gov. Kathy Hochul to appoint state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor, and prompted Cornell to launch an independent review.