New York prosecutors reopen Cornell fraternity rape inquiry after civil lawsuit

Criminal inquiry reopened after civil lawsuit

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on 28 September 2026 that his office reopened a criminal investigation into the alleged gang rape of a Cornell University student in October 2024. Prosecutors plan to present evidence and testimony from the woman to a grand jury for potential indictment. The decision followed a civil lawsuit filed on 16 September 2026 by the student, identified as Jane Doe, naming seven fraternity members, the Chi Phi fraternity, Cornell University, a local bar, and her sorority as defendants. In 2024, prosecutors declined to file charges, stating that initial police documentation described voluntary drug use. New York state lawmakers subsequently renewed efforts to alter state sexual assault statutes that make prosecution difficult when victims voluntarily ingest drugs or alcohol.

The fraternity incident and message records

The alleged assault occurred overnight on 19 October 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. According to the civil complaint, the woman had consumed approximately 10 drinks over three hours before arriving at the house, where fraternity members gave her marijuana, alcohol, and the anesthetic ketamine. The lawsuit states that two men initially assaulted her before others joined, with the encounter continuing until two people intervened at 5:45 a.m. Court filings include a Snapchat group chat from 1:42 a.m. in which fraternity members discussed an ongoing sexual encounter upstairs. Days later, an accused member texted an apology for how events unfolded, stating his memory was unclear and that he was too intoxicated to shut the situation down. Lawyers for at least three of the accused men have issued statements denying criminal wrongdoing.

University medical response and Title IX review

Title IX review documents show the woman returned to her sorority house in shock the next morning. Approximately one week later, she read online Greek life forum posts asserting that Chi Phi members had drugged and assaulted a sophomore. Two days after the incident, she visited a university health clinic and reported an injury sustained in a traumatic manner. Clinic personnel advised her to attend therapy rather than administering a physical exam or forensic test. Her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, criticized the clinic's handling of the disclosure.

“Ms. Doe's disclosure warranted further inquiry, including a rape kit and consultation of medical professionals trained to deal with rape cases and a physical exam to document her injuries.”

On 3 November 2024, the woman texted an accused student stating that 90% of the encounter was non-consensual due to heavy ketamine consumption. She underwent a forensic exam on 7 November 2024, three weeks after the event, but medical staff recovered no DNA evidence.

Alumni protests and applicant hesitation

The revelations and release of records generated substantial fallout across the Cornell community. Over 600 alumni signed a pledge to withhold financial donations until university leadership provides a complete accounting of its response. High school admissions advisers in New York City noted that prospective students, including seniors at Stuyvesant High School, began reconsidering applications to the university. Cornell's Title IX committee previously held at least 12 hearings regarding the matter before the civil filing brought the case into public view.