Magnum.Media App

Cornell University has hired former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to head a comprehensive internal probe evaluating how the Ivy League institution manages claims of sexual misconduct across its campus. The initiative, commissioned by a special committee of the school’s Board of Trustees, comes amid growing scrutiny over the university’s handling of campus safety, institutional accountability, and Greek life oversight.

The independent examination follows widespread student demonstrations sparked by a recent federal lawsuit involving an alleged October 2024 assault at a Chi Phi fraternity house. While those accused have denied the assertions and no criminal charges were brought by local prosecutors, the victim’s civil action named both the individuals and the university as defendants. In response to criticism surrounding initial investigations, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul previously directed State Attorney General Letitia James to conduct a separate criminal inquiry.

Yates, a partner at King & Spalding who served as the U.S. deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama, will scrutinize institutional administrative policies, victim support resources, campus police operations, and disciplinary adjudication procedures. Her investigation will also assess administrative oversight of fraternities and sororities alongside the university’s protocols for coordinating with outside law enforcement entities and prosecutors.

In a public release announcing the retention, board leadership explained the primary objectives of the external evaluation. Anne Meinig Smalling, chair of Cornell’s Board of Trustees, said in a statement: “Sally Yates brings extraordinary experience, independence and judgment to this work. The questions raised by the Jane Doe matter warrant a rigorous examination of Cornell’s response to that case, but our responsibility is broader. We have asked Ms. Yates and her team to examine Cornell’s overall approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct, identify where we are doing things well and where we can do better, and recommend changes that will help make our community safer.” She will also examine the school’s policies related to how it “prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct on campus.”

University officials defended their earlier actions, highlighting that a previous internal Title IX investigation led to suspensions, expulsions, and the permanent closure of the fraternity chapter involved. Kyle Kimball, vice president for university relations, reiterated that “Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false”. The Board of Trustees confirmed that the findings and recommendations resulting from Yates’ review will be published to the campus community upon completion.

Editorial credit: PT Hamilton / Shutterstock.com

A former senior officer with the Central Intelligence Agency pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to wire fraud after executing a massive scheme that defrauded the federal government. David J. Rush, a former intelligence officer and Navy veteran, entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.  Federal prosecutors stated that Rush exploited classified operational channels to siphon tens of millions of dollars in government funds and assets, accumulating nearly $194 million in illicit proceeds.

The case came to light after federal agents conducted a search of Rush’s Virginia residence in May. During the raid, law enforcement officers recovered 303 gold bars valued at approximately $40 million, alongside $2 million in cash and 35 high-end timepieces. Investigators revealed that Rush leveraged the high level of secrecy surrounding his position to request gold and foreign currency under the guise of funding legitimate, “work-related expenses” with minimal internal oversight.

In addition to misappropriating operational assets, Rush systematically lied about his credentials to secure higher pay and unearned benefits. Court records show he submitted fraudulent applications claiming academic degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, while also falsely logging 744 hours of military leave following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 2015. The extensive fabrications on his employment records triggered the initial federal investigation into salary theft and timecard fraud.

As part of the plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors, Rush agreed to forfeit all seized assets, including the 303 bullion bars, cash, 30 luxury watches, and two 2026 BMW Alpina automobiles. The scandal has raised major national security concerns regarding vetting procedures and internal financial controls within the intelligence community. In response to the breach, the Director of National Intelligence asked the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community to launch a formal investigation into the institutional failures that allowed the fraud to continue undetected.

Rush remains in federal custody pending his formal sentencing, which Judge Nachmanoff set for Jan. 28, 2027. Under federal guidelines, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, mandatory restitution, and additional financial penalties. Assistant U.S. Attorneys and trial attorneys from the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the ongoing prosecution.

Editorial credit: Mehaniq / Shutterstock.com