ALBANY – As State Attorney General Letitia James begins her investigation into gang rape allegations against seven male students at Cornell University, State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) predicts quick approval of a bill to close the voluntary intoxication loophole in the state’s rape law during the next legislative session.
Lawmakers don’t convene again until January.
A female student at Cornell is alleging she was gang raped by the students, which has prompted the Tompkins County District Attorney and James to open investigations.
“Voluntary intoxication by alcohol or drugs should never be an excuse or valid legal defense for sexual assault and rape,” said Jacobson, who has co-sponsored legislation twice to close the loophole.
He predicted the bill will be prioritized for approval in the new session. “Unfortunately, it takes a terrible situation like what happened at Cornell to raise public awareness and get the legislature to act,” Jacobson said.
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