Cornell University lawsuit leads DA to reopen gang rape investigation
A former Cornell University student has filed a lawsuit alleging she was gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity on October 19, 2024. The legal action, involving Snapchat communications and intense social media scrutiny, prompted the Tompkins County District Attorney to reopen the criminal investigation on September 28, 2026.
The October 2024 Allegations at the Chi Phi House
The plaintiff, referred to in court documents as Jane Doe, was 20 years old and enrolled at Cornell when she visited an acquaintance at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. According to CBS News, she arrived intoxicated and was allegedly pressured by two fraternity members to ingest ketamin, which she was told was a different substance. Court filings state that one member subsequently posted in the fraternity’s Snapchat group chat inquiring if sex was available with a woman in the house, receiving an affirmative reply. Multiple men then entered the room, and the lawsuit alleges she was assaulted for hours while unable to consent.
No criminal charges have been filed against the men, and two of the accused have publicly denied the allegations. The plaintiff reported the incident to the Cornell University campus police on November 8, 2024.
University Response and Disciplinary Measures
Following an internal review conducted by Cornell, the institution faced severe criticism from the plaintiff’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra. The lawsuit claims that the accused men were given the option to submit essays to mitigate their behavior, with only two of the seven individuals ultimately expelled and none arrested by law enforcement. Speaking to NBC News, Giuffra stated that his client did not finish college and continues to deal with severe trauma.
Cornell University issued a statement disputing aspects of the legal filing. The university maintained that the matter was reviewed by a panel of trained staff members who issued various sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions. The institution explicitly denied that any accused individual was offered the opportunity to write an essay as the sole consequence for their involvement, adding that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains banned from campus.
District Attorney Intervention and Conflicting Statements
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced the reopening of the investigation on September 28, 2026, with plans to present the case to a grand jury. However, Van Houten defended the initial decision not to bring charges in 2024, noting discrepancies between the current civil lawsuit and the statements provided by the woman during the initial police investigation. According to Reuters, Van Houten stated that the sworn November 2024 statement did not contain allegations of being involuntarily drugged or gang-raped, but instead described her participation in drug use and sexual activity as voluntary and consensual.
The case continues to draw heavy engagement across social media platforms, involving commentary from public figures and politicians as legal proceedings advance in the New York Supreme Court.