Investigation Reopened into Cornell Fraternity Assault Allegations

A New York prosecutor has reopened an investigation into allegations of gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity. This response follows a lawsuit filed by a woman claiming sexual assault by seven students in 2024, after being given alcohol and drugs.

Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, stated that his office will present evidence to a grand jury. The district attorney is addressing public concerns regarding the absence of criminal prosecutions in the case.

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit, filed on September 16, reports the woman was assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. She claims she was pressured into drug use and drinking. The woman alleges she became incapacitated while fraternity members assaulted her.

Public response on social media includes criticism of Cornell and the district attorney’s office. Photos of the accused fraternity members have been circulated. The woman seeks damages from the men, the fraternity, the university, and others, including an Ithaca bar.

Van Houten mentioned the woman approached campus police at the time, but her initial statement did not include claims of gang rape or drugging. However, Van Houten is now engaging with the attorney to reconsider the case.

“Seeking justice sometimes requires us to reconsider or reopen cases when we are provided with additional evidence,” Van Houten said.

He confirmed community requests led him to revisit the decision to pursue charges against the seven fraternity members.

Cornell’s Response

Cornell University released a statement supporting the investigation’s reopening. The university conducted its own investigation resulting in sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions of certain students. The Chi Phi chapter remains barred from campus. The school, citing federal privacy laws, did not specify how many students were expelled or suspended.

The university rejected claims that it imposed minimal consequences. It emphasized the importance of thorough consequences for involved individuals.

Cornell explained that trained staff and faculty evaluated evidence in its internal disciplinary process, allowing the woman and the accused to present evidence.

Broader Implications

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized elite institutions for harboring a “culture of rape.” She highlighted the normalcy and acceptance of assault discussions within a group chat among the accused.

Cornell is implementing recommendations by a task force formed in 2025 to address campus sexual assault. A school survey indicated high rates of reported sexual assault among undergraduate students.

District Attorney Van Houten received numerous calls and emails since the lawsuit’s filing, with both inquiries and threats.

Cornell senior and student government president, Eeshaan Chaudhuri, called for reevaluation of the university’s initial investigation and examination of the fraternity culture. He acknowledges the complexity of changing these issues quickly.