yers to assist. Meanwhile, her deputies have spoken with Jane Doe's attorney and the local prosecutor, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. James also talked to him herself, her office said Tuesday. Van Houten looked into the allegations in 2024 and brought no charges - then reopened his office's investigation after seeing Jane Doe's lawsuit. After Gov. Kathy Hochul put James on the case last week, Van Houten said he supported the appointment. Hochul, James and Van Houten are all Democrats. The governor also called for an independent review of Cornell's handling of the matter - the review that Yates now will lead. Yates had a decades-long career at the Justice Department, serving for years as the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta and later as a deputy attorney general. She achieved particular prominence in January 2017 when, as acting attorney general in the early days of the Trump administration, she directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend the constitutionality of President Donald Trump's refugee and immigration ban. She was swiftly fired, with Trump accusing her of betrayal and insubordination. Yates also generated headlines when it emerged that, in a conversation days before her departure, she had expressed alarm to the Trump White House about contacts that Trump's new national security adviser, Michael Flynn, had had with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period. Flynn later was fired. Yates has been in private practice since her departure from the Justice Department. Her practice at the King   Spalding law firm includes conducting independent investigations for outside organizations and companies. She led a high-profile inquiry into alleged abuse and misconduct, including claims of harassment and coercion, at the National Women's Soccer League. The investigation concluded in 2022 with a finding of systemic abuse. ___ Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers Michael Sisak in New York and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.