New York prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving members of a Cornell University fraternity after a recently filed civil lawsuit brought new attention to the case. The allegations date back to October 2024 and involve seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The Tompkins County district attorney has said the case will be presented to a grand jury as investigators reassess the evidence and conflicting accounts surrounding the incident.
Prosecutors Reopen Cornell Fraternity Investigation
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that his office was reopening the investigation after a woman, identified as Jane Doe in a civil lawsuit, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members at the Chi Phi house in 2024.
The woman, who was 20 at the time, filed the civil lawsuit earlier this month against seven former fraternity members, Cornell University and other parties. According to the lawsuit, she had consumed alcohol before visiting the fraternity house and later alleged that she was pressured to consume additional drugs and alcohol before being sexually assaulted.
The district attorney said the allegations in the lawsuit differ substantially from the sworn statement the woman gave to Cornell University police in November 2024. According to his office, the earlier statement described her participation in drug use and sexual activity as voluntary and consensual.
Van Houten said prosecutors are now reassessing the case in light of the allegations contained in the civil complaint and other evidence. The matter is expected to be presented to a grand jury, which could determine whether criminal charges should be brought.
Civil Lawsuit Brings New Details to Light
The lawsuit provides a substantially different account of the October 2024 incident. The plaintiff alleges that she was already heavily intoxicated when she arrived at the fraternity house and was subsequently pressured into taking ketamine and consuming other substances.
The complaint also refers to messages exchanged in a fraternity Snapchat group. According to the lawsuit, one message allegedly encouraged other fraternity members to come upstairs while the woman was in the room.
The plaintiff alleges that several men subsequently entered the room and that the alleged sexual assault continued for several hours. She reported the incident to Cornell campus police approximately three weeks later.
Her attorney has questioned whether the allegations received a sufficiently thorough criminal investigation in 2024. The lawyer has said the woman was not subsequently interviewed by investigators from the district attorney’s office with specialized experience in sexual assault cases.
Cornell Says Disciplinary Action Was Taken
Cornell University has said it conducted its own investigation into the allegations through its Title IX and student-conduct processes.
The university said a hearing panel reviewed evidence and that disciplinary measures included expulsions and suspensions. Cornell also confirmed that the Chi Phi chapter involved in the case was closed in 2024 and remains prohibited from operating on campus.
The university has expressed support for the district attorney’s decision to reopen the criminal investigation, saying the process will provide an opportunity for the allegations to be considered by a criminal grand jury.
At least one attorney representing a named defendant has denied that his client sexually assaulted the woman. The defense has also disputed aspects of the allegations and said it is prepared to provide evidence to investigators. Other defendants have also disputed allegations made against them.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been established as criminal findings against the named individuals. The grand jury process will determine whether prosecutors have sufficient grounds to pursue criminal charge
