NY Attorney General Taps Former Sean 'Diddy' Combs Prosecutor To Lead Major Criminal Investigation

New York Attorney General Letitia James has appointed Jacqueline Kelly, the former federal prosecutor who oversaw Sean 'Diddy' Combs' criminal prosecution, to lead an outside criminal probe into sexual assault claims at Cornell University.

The announcement marks a major step in reopening an inquiry into allegations that have shaken the Ivy League campus.

Kelly will take on the role of outside counsel to lead the criminal investigation into the reported assault.

She will head a dedicated team composed of attorneys and professional staff from both the New York Attorney General’s office and the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner.

The official appointment was made public by the attorney general's office on November 4.

The move arrived immediately after James won election to a third term as New York's attorney general on November 3.

James formally voiced strong confidence in Kelly’s legal background and her capacity to run an exhaustive probe.

"Jacqueline Kelly is a seasoned prosecutor who has overseen numerous cases from investigation through trial," James said in an official statement.

The attorney general emphasized that Kelly’s extensive background inside the courtroom makes her ideally suited for the assignment.

"With her criminal legal expertise, commitment to public service, and judicial experience, I am confident that she will lead a fair and comprehensive investigation," James added.

THE CORNELL FRATERNITY ALLEGATIONS

The criminal investigation focuses on deeply troubling allegations stemming from an incident reported in late 2024.

A woman identified in legal records as Jane Doe reported that she was sexually assaulted at a Cornell University fraternity house.

According to court filings, the alleged assault took place in October 2024 at the university's Chi Phi fraternity chapter.

Jane Doe alleged that she was drugged while attending an event at the fraternity house.

The court filings further assert that she was gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

Attorneys representing the fraternity members named in the legal filings have firmly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Following the complaint, Cornell University launched an internal review to address the situation administratively.

The university ultimately expelled or formally disciplined several students who were connected to the October 2024 incident.

However, local law enforcement did not file any criminal charges against the individuals at that time.

The matter reignited widespread public attention in September when Jane Doe pursued formal civil litigation against Cornell University.

Her lawsuit accuses the university administration of seriously mishandling its institutional response to her initial sexual assault complaint.

STATE INTERVENTION AND OUTSIDE REVIEWS

The civil lawsuit and mounting public scrutiny quickly captured the attention of top state officials in New York.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul intervened directly by signing an executive order on October 1.

The executive order designated Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to examine the case.

That executive action formally empowered the state attorney general's office to reopen the criminal investigation into the fraternity assault claims.

Cornell University has also sought prominent legal figures to evaluate its internal institutional conduct.

A committee formed by Cornell’s board of trustees appointed former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.

Yates was retained to conduct an independent review of how Cornell handles complaints and claims of sexual violence.

The dual reviews mean both the criminal allegations and the university's administrative response are under external examination.

Throughout the proceedings, survivor advocacy groups have continued offering resources to those affected by sexual abuse.

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, confidential support around the clock at 800.656.HOPE and online at Hotline.RAINN.org.

JACQUELINE KELLY'S LEGAL CAREER

Jacqueline Kelly enters the Cornell probe with an extensive track record of prosecuting high-profile federal crimes.

Kelly previously served as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

During her time with the federal government, she made history as the first chief of the civil rights unit within the criminal division.

In that leadership capacity, Kelly directed numerous complex criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Her federal portfolio included overseeing the criminal prosecution of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Kelly stepped down from her federal prosecutorial post to transition into private legal practice.

She joined the national law firm Boies Schiller Flexner as a partner in 2025.

Now, Kelly returns to public service as outside counsel to manage the newly reopened upstate criminal probe.

COMBS SERVING FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE

The appointment of Kelly draws renewed attention to the legal fate of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Combs is currently incarcerated while serving out a 50-month prison sentence on prostitution-related charges.

The Bad Boy Records founder marked his 57th birthday behind bars on November 4.

He is currently serving his federal sentence at FCI Allenwood Low, a correctional institution located in Pennsylvania.

FCI Allenwood Low operates as a low-security federal prison under the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

According to an institutional menu obtained by Us Weekly, inmates at the facility received three square meals on November 4.

Combs began his 57th birthday early in the morning alongside other incarcerated individuals in the dining hall.

An admissions handbook for FCI Allenwood Low obtained by E!

News indicates that breakfast service runs from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m.

For breakfast, the low-security prison served hot oatmeal, scrambled eggs, fruit, whole milk, and whole wheat bread with jelly.

Lunch was scheduled to take place at 10:45 a.m. in the institutional dining hall.

The midday meal provided inmates with a choice between a traditional hamburger or a black bean burger.

The burgers were accompanied by condiments and toppings including lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onions.

Dinner service at the Pennsylvania facility began promptly following the standard 4 p.m. inmate count.

The evening birthday menu featured pork roast, mashed potatoes served with gravy, mixed vegetables, and whole wheat bread.

COMMISSARY CHOICES AND PRISON TRANSFER

Official regulations at FCI Allenwood Low strictly prohibit inmates from removing any food items from the dining hall.

Inmates who wish to eat outside designated meal hours must purchase authorized snack items from the commissary.

A commissary order form shows that inmates can purchase a three-pack of birthday cupcakes for $1.25.

Other sweet items on the prison commissary list include a vanilla ice cream cookie available for $3.40.