Prosecutor Reopens Investigation into Cornell University Gang Rape Allegations Following Lawsuit

A New York prosecutor has reopened an investigation into gang rape allegations at a Cornell University fraternity in response to a lawsuit filed by a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted in 2024 by seven students after being given alcohol and drugs. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on Monday that his office will present evidence to a grand jury amid public inquiries regarding the absence of criminal prosecutions in the case. The woman, referred to by a pseudonym in the lawsuit, filed the complaint on September 16, stating she was assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024 after being pressured into using ketamine, smoking marijuana, and consuming alcohol, which rendered her incapacitated during the alleged assault. The lawsuit, the reopening of the investigation, and Cornell's response have generated significant commentary on social media, with many criticizing the university and the district attorney's office, while others have expressed skepticism regarding the allegations. The accuser is suing the seven men, the Chi Phi fraternity, the university, an Ithaca bar, and others, seeking undisclosed damages. Her attorney did not respond to requests for comment on the prosecutor's decision. The woman initially reported the incident to campus police, but Van Houten stated that she did not claim to have been gang-raped or drugged in her initial sworn statement. He noted that he was not contacted by the woman's attorney regarding her statement or the decision not to prosecute, but he has since reached out to the attorney. Van Houten stated, "Seeking justice sometimes requires us to reconsider or reopen cases when we are provided with additional evidence." He added that he has begun the process of revisiting the decision on whether to pursue criminal charges against the fraternity members. Cornell University expressed support for the decision to reopen the investigation, stating that it conducted its own investigation and imposed sanctions, including expelling some students and suspending others. The university declined to provide specific details about the sanctions due to federal privacy laws. Cornell emphasized that any suggestion of minimal consequences is false and irresponsible. The national chapter of Chi Phi did not respond to inquiries. The university conducted an internal disciplinary investigation in 2024, where a panel of trained faculty and staff heard evidence from both the accuser and the accused. The lawsuit alleges that the university failed to prevent the assaults and adequately address sexual violence on campus, including a photo of a group chat among fraternity members discussing the events of that night. The woman, then a 20-year-old student and sorority member, reported the incident to campus police approximately three weeks later, leading to the temporary suspension of the fraternity and its members. The lawsuit claims that the seven were given the opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays, a statement Cornell disputed, asserting that expulsions and suspensions were the primary consequences. New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned what she described as a "culture of rape" at elite institutions, referencing the group chat among fraternity members as indicative of a troubling norm. Cornell stated that a task force on campus sexual assault formed in 2025 made recommendations earlier this year, some of which have been implemented. A survey conducted by the task force indicated that 35% of undergraduate women and 8% of undergraduate men reported experiencing sexual assault during their time at Cornell. Following the lawsuit, the prosecutor's office has received numerous calls and messages from the public seeking answers and expressing outrage. Van Houten remarked that the community's response necessitated an explanation for the lack of criminal charges resulting from the initial investigation. Eeshaan Chaudhuri, president of the Cornell student government, called for a reevaluation of the university's initial investigation and the district attorney's office's actions, emphasizing the need to address the fraternity culture. He noted that these issues are broader and cannot be resolved quickly.