PDF · PUBLIC LIBRARY #594
EXHIBIT(S) - A Executive Order No. 64
NYSCEF document #20 | Filed: 2026-10-22 | Filed by: VIGARS, KAITLIN NORA Filed: Received: | Docket status: Processed Confirmation Notice | Case: Lopes v. Hochul (Cornell 7 Lopes Against Special Prosecutor Assignment Tish James) Albany | Source: NYSCEF
File: NYSCEF-case-20f2fbf9d925-000020.pdf · 0.13 MBSHA-256:
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EXHIBIT A
FILED: ALBANY COUNTY CLERK 10/22/2026 05:24 PM
INDEX NO. 911974-26
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 20
RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/22/2026
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(FILED: ALBANY COUNTY CLERK 10 2026 05:24 P NDEX NO. 9ITITI=Ze
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 20 . RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/22/2026
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EXECUTIVE ORDER
APPOINTING A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE AND, IF WARRANTED,
PROSECUTE MATTERS RELATING TO AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT OCCURRING IN
: TOMPKINS COUNTY ON OCTOBER 19-20, 2024
WHEREAS, article IV, section 3 of the Constitution of the State of New York obliges the
Governor to take care that the laws are faithfully executed;
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2026, Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court, New York -
County, alleging she was the victim of a sexual assault perpetrated by multiple individuals occurring on
October 19-20, 2024;
WHEREAS, in November 2024, the Tompkins County District Attormey declined to prosecute
any of the alleged perpetrators of the sexual assault, without speaking to Jane Doe, and relied, at least in
part, upon information from Jane Doe’s sworn statement to the Cornell University Police Department,
which reportedly omitted key portions of Jane Doe’s account, including Jane Doe’s unequivocal assertion
that she had been sexually assaulted;
WHEREAS, concerns have been raised, both by Jane Doe and the public, that this incident
cannot be fully and thoroughly investigated or prosecuted without conflict or bias, or the public ;
perception of conflict or bias; .
WHERBEAS, the criminal justice process must be guided by the facts and the law, and the public
interest requires an objective review;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of
the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, and particularly by
subdivision 2 of section 63 of the Executive Law, hereby require the Attorney General (hereinafter, the
. Special Prosecutor) to investigate the conduct of, and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury
against and prosecute offenses arising out of the allegations of a sexual assault described in the complaint
: in Jane Doe v. Cornell University, et al., Index. No. 161704/2026 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County), which is
alleged to have occurred on October 19-20, 2024 in Tompkins County;
FURTHER, for any matter covered herein, the Special Prosecutor or her designee shall have the
powers and duties specified in subdivision 2 of section 63 of the Executive Law and shall possess and
exercise al] the prosecutorial powers necessary to investigate, and, if warranted, to prosecute offenses
arising from the incident. The Special Prosecutor's jurisdiction will displace and supersede the jurisdiction
_ ofthe Tompkins County District Attomey, and such District Attorney shall have only the powers and
. duties designated to such District Attorney by the Special Prosecutor as specified in subdivision 2 of
section 63 of the Executive Law; ;
, FURTHER, for any matter covered herein, the Special Prosecutor or her designee shall conduct a
full, reasoned, and independent investigation including, but not limited to, gathering and analyzing
evidence, conducting witness interviews, and reviewing investigative reports, scientific reports, and audio
and video recordings; and
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(FILED: ALBANY COUNTY CLERK 10/22/2026 05:24 PM INDEXT NOT STE 97426
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 20 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 10/22/2026
FURTHER, for any matter covered herein, the Special Prosecutor or her designee shall appear in
person before a grand jury drawn for any term of the Supreme Court in the County of appropriate
jurisdiction, as warranted, for the purpose of conducting any and all proceedings, examinations, and
inquiries consistent with this Order, and attend in person any term of the County or Supreme Court to be
held in and for the County of appropriate jurisdiction to prosecute any offenses consistent with this Order
and to conduct therein any related actions and proceedings.
This Executive Order shall continue until modified, suspended or terminated by the Governor.
GIVEN under my hand and the Privy Seal
of the State in the City of Albany
this 1* day of October in the year
two thousand twenty-six.
fet Hoh
BY THE GOVERNOR
ecretary tolthe Governor
PUBLIC DISCUSSION
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