New Details Emerge In Cornell Sexual Assault Case
1 week ago
ITHACA, N.Y. — New details are emerging in the investigation into allegations that a former Cornell University student was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members in 2024, as New York state officials take a larger role in the case.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit in September accusing seven then-members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her at the fraternity house in October 2024.
Documents from Cornell’s internal investigation obtained by news organizations provide additional details about what the woman told investigators in the weeks and months following the alleged assault. She told campus police she was extremely intoxicated and said she eventually became certain that she had been raped.
The lawsuit alleges fraternity members gave her alcohol, marijuana and ketamine before sexually assaulting her after she became incapacitated. The seven men have denied wrongdoing, with several maintaining that the sexual activity was consensual.
Cornell conducted its own Title IX investigation. The university says two of the accused students were expelled, two were suspended for at least two semesters, one had already graduated and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct.
No criminal charges were initially filed.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the criminal investigation last month following renewed attention generated by the civil lawsuit. He said his office intended to present the case to a grand jury and examine evidence that may not have been available when prosecutors initially reviewed the allegations.
The case took another turn Thursday when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, removing Van Houten’s office from the investigation. Hochul said questions surrounding the initial handling of the case had undermined public confidence and called for an impartial review.
Cornell has also agreed to hire outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the university’s handling of the allegations.
The university has defended its initial response, saying it conducted an extensive investigation, imposed significant disciplinary penalties and barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing, and none of the seven men accused in the civil lawsuit has been criminally charged.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, filed a civil lawsuit in September accusing seven then-members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her at the fraternity house in October 2024.
Documents from Cornell’s internal investigation obtained by news organizations provide additional details about what the woman told investigators in the weeks and months following the alleged assault. She told campus police she was extremely intoxicated and said she eventually became certain that she had been raped.
The lawsuit alleges fraternity members gave her alcohol, marijuana and ketamine before sexually assaulting her after she became incapacitated. The seven men have denied wrongdoing, with several maintaining that the sexual activity was consensual.
Cornell conducted its own Title IX investigation. The university says two of the accused students were expelled, two were suspended for at least two semesters, one had already graduated and two were found not responsible for sexual misconduct.
No criminal charges were initially filed.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the criminal investigation last month following renewed attention generated by the civil lawsuit. He said his office intended to present the case to a grand jury and examine evidence that may not have been available when prosecutors initially reviewed the allegations.
The case took another turn Thursday when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, removing Van Houten’s office from the investigation. Hochul said questions surrounding the initial handling of the case had undermined public confidence and called for an impartial review.
Cornell has also agreed to hire outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the university’s handling of the allegations.
The university has defended its initial response, saying it conducted an extensive investigation, imposed significant disciplinary penalties and barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus.
The criminal investigation remains ongoing, and none of the seven men accused in the civil lawsuit has been criminally charged.
