Cornell Fraternity Rape Probe Reopened; Prosecutor to Seek Grand Jury

A New York prosecutor has reopened an investigation into gang rape allegations at a Cornell University fraternity, acting in response to a lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was sexually assaulted in 2024 by seven students after being plied with alcohol and drugs.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said Monday that his office will present evidence to a grand jury. He has faced public questions about why no criminal prosecutions followed the original complaint.

The woman, identified in the lawsuit only by a pseudonym, filed the complaint on Sept. 16. She alleges she was assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house on Cornell's campus in October 2024 after being pressured into snorting ketamine, smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. The suit names seven men, the Chi Phi fraternity, the university, an Ithaca bar and others, and seeks undisclosed damages.

The woman went to campus police at the time, but Van Houten said her initial sworn statement to authorities did not include claims of being gang raped or drugged. He also said the woman's attorney had never contacted him about her statement or about reconsidering the decision not to prosecute.

"While I generally refrain from commenting publicly on criminal investigations, the community outrage stemming from the incomplete news and social media coverage requires that I provide an answer to why the investigation resulted in a lack of criminal charges," Van Houten said in a statement.

Cornell said it supports the district attorney's decision to reopen the investigation. The university said it conducted its own inquiry and imposed sanctions, including expelling some students and suspending others. It said the on-campus Chi Phi chapter was closed in 2024 and remains barred from campus.

School officials did not immediately respond Monday to a message seeking further information, including how many students were expelled or suspended.

"Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false," Cornell said. "A continuation of the false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible, will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault."

The national chapter of Chi Phi did not immediately return phone and email messages Monday.

Cornell said its internal disciplinary investigation in 2024 involved a panel of trained faculty and staff who heard evidence over multiple days. Both the woman and the accused had the opportunity to testify and present evidence, the university said.

The woman's attorney did not immediately respond Monday to messages seeking comment on the decision to reopen the investigation.

The lawsuit describes what began as a night of celebrating at a sorority and a local bar. It also accuses the university of failing to prevent the alleged assaults and includes a photo that it says shows a group chat between fraternity members discussing sex with the woman.

Since the lawsuit was filed, Van Houten said, his office has been flooded with phone calls, voicemails and emails about the case, including from people seeking answers and others making insults and threats.