New York prosecutors have reopened an investigation into allegations of gang rape at Cornell University, nearly two years after the alleged assault took place. The case centers on a woman, identified only as Jane Doe in court filings, who alleges that she was sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024 after being given drugs and alcohol at the fraternity house.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on Monday that his office will present the evidence to a grand jury, signaling a potential criminal prosecution. This decision follows a civil lawsuit filed earlier this month by the accuser, who claims that she was pressured to consume ketamine, marijuana, and alcohol, which left her incapacitated during the assault. The lawsuit also names Cornell University, the Chi Phi fraternity, the plaintiff’s own sorority Delta Delta Delta, and an Ithaca bar among the defendants.
Van Houten explained that the initial decision not to pursue charges in late 2024 was based on Jane Doe’s original sworn statement to police, in which she did not allege being drugged against her will or gang-raped. He described her initial report as portraying the encounter as voluntary and consensual. However, he noted that the process of healing from trauma varies among survivors and indicated that the new evidence presented through the lawsuit warranted reopening the investigation. A senior female prosecutor has been assigned to the case.
The complaint includes detailed allegations, including a screenshot of a group chat where fraternity members appear to discuss the events of that night. It states that the plaintiff was visibly intoxicated after consuming about ten drinks in a short period, was pressured into ingesting ketamine, and was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members. The lawsuit also contends that a sorority house mother allegedly took the intoxicated woman to a bar where she was served more alcohol despite being underage.
Cornell University has publicly supported the district attorney’s decision to revisit the case. The university asserts that it conducted its own internal investigation following the initial report and imposed various sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions, on those involved. The Chi Phi chapter at Cornell was closed in 2024 and remains banned from campus. University officials rejected claims that the accused were disciplined only through essay assignments, emphasizing that this was not the sole consequence. A presidential task force on campus sexual assault has issued recommendations since the incident, several of which the university says have been implemented.
The lawsuit and ensuing investigation have drawn significant public attention and discussion on social media, with some people expressing support for the accuser and others questioning aspects of the case. An online petition calling for accountability and transparency has gathered substantial signatures. Meanwhile, attorneys for some of the accused have denied the allegations, characterizing parts of the lawsuit as inaccurate or misleading. One attorney called the lawsuit “intentionally dishonest” while affirming that his client was not involved in the alleged assault.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in how allegations of sexual violence are handled on college campuses, including issues around reporting, investigation, and prosecutorial discretion. New York law’s narrow definition of rape, particularly regarding cases involving voluntary intoxication, has been cited as a complicating factor. Advocates and legal experts emphasize the need for thorough and sensitive handling of such cases to ensure justice and support for survivors.