Tompkins County prosecutors reopened an investigation into an alleged October 2024 gang rape at Cornell University involving seven fraternity members, following a civil lawsuit filed by the survivor. The reopening follows intense public scrutiny over why no criminal charges were initially brought after the incident at the now-closed Chi Phi house.
Lawsuit Accuses Cornell of Protecting Seven Fraternity Members
Jane Doe filed a 101-page civil complaint in New York Supreme Court on September 16. The 20-year-old junior in a sorority alleged the private Ivy League university protected the seven men now known as the Cornell 7. Cornell University, the local upstate New York district attorney, and campus police have all faced scrutiny over the alleged 2024 incident.
The student visited an Ithaca nightclub after drinking with her sorority. The club allegedly served her alcohol despite marking an X on her hand to show she was underage. She then walked alone at 11 p.m. to the Chi Phi fraternity house to see a friend. She consumed about 10 standard drinks within three hours inside the house. Her friend proposed a threesome. She was far too intoxicated to consent, according to the complaint.
Two men led her upstairs, pressured her into snorting ketamine—a tranquilizer she had never tried before—and plied her with marijuana and high-proof rum. Additional fraternity members entered the room as the assault continued until just before 6 a.m. A screenshot in the complaint shows a Snapchat group called Chi Phi Actives
where a brother allegedly broadcast that there was free pussy
in the house, prompting eager replies from other members.
Prosecutors Reopen Investigation After Reviewing New Evidence
Van Houten stated that the initial signed statement submitted by campus police in late 2024 did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang-raped. The prosecutor stated that the initial paperwork described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious, and consensual. Van Houten noted that his office was never contacted by the woman’s attorney about reconsidering the matter at the time, but he reached out to her legal team recently after being provided with additional evidence. The decision that was made in November 2024 that the evidence did not support bringing criminal charges was a legally sound decision, Van Houten added in a statement to CNN.
Police Learned of Allegations Through Media Reports
Local law enforcement agencies including the Ithaca Police Department stated they were only recently made aware of the allegations via media reports because the initial complaint had been handled exclusively through campus security.
