00:01I'm invoking the power conferred to me as the governor of the state of New York to enlist
00:05Attorney General James as an independent special prosecutor in this case.
00:10She'll follow the facts, she'll examine the evidence, and go wherever it leads.
00:16And if the evidence supports criminal charges, she will pursue them.
00:21This case has also exposed another problem we need to address, a gap in state law.
00:28If someone is too intoxicated to consent, it should not matter whether they chose to use drugs or alcohol.
00:37Voluntary intoxication is not a license for sexual assault or gang rape, period.
00:44I support closing this loophole and will work with the New York State Legislature to accomplish this.
00:53I stand ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law.
01:00In the coming months, my office will dutifully carry out the responsibilities the governor has conferred upon us in this
01:07executive order.
01:07We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and if warranted, pursue prosecutions.
01:21I know that you want answers.
01:25I do, too.
01:27A comprehensive investigation of this nature takes time, but my office is committed to seeing it through.
01:36This is now an active criminal investigation, led by the Office of the Attorney General.
01:45And though we are limited in what we can share, we will provide updates as they become available.
01:52Horrific and unacceptable, I'm holding her in my heart.
