Cornell University reopens investigation into alleged fraternity gang rape

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened a criminal investigation into the alleged October 2024 gang rape of a 20-year-old Cornell University student at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The decision follows a 101-page civil lawsuit filed by the victim, Jane Doe, against Cornell and seven fraternity members. While the university barred the fraternity and defended its disciplinary actions, the victim's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, criticized the lack of criminal arrests and proper investigative follow-up.

Reopening of the criminal investigation

• ▪Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on September 28, 2026, that his office is reopening the criminal investigation into the alleged October 2024 gang rape of a Cornell University student
• ▪Cornell University Vice President for University Relations Kyle Kimball stated that the university supports Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's decision to present the 2024 Chi Phi fraternity sexual assault case to a grand jury
• ▪Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated his intention to present the Cornell University fraternity sexual assault case to a grand jury with the cooperation of the victim, identified as Jane Doe

District attorney's investigation

• ▪Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's office relied on the Cornell University Police investigation into Jane Doe's November 2024 report and did not conduct an independent investigation
• ▪Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated Jane Doe's September 2026 civil lawsuit allegations differ dramatically from her November 2024 Cornell University Police statement, which did not allege she was unknowingly drugged, forced into sexual activity, or incapacitated

Criticism from the victim's attorney

• ▪Attorney Thomas Giuffra stated that neither the Tompkins County district attorney nor Cornell police ever followed up with Jane Doe using investigators specially trained in speaking with abuse survivors
• ▪Attorney Thomas Giuffra stated that authorities were provided with the Chi Phi fraternity Snapchat group chat in 2024, contradicting District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's claim that prosecutors never received it
• ▪Cornell University student Jane Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, stated that none of the seven accused Chi Phi fraternity members faced criminal arrests or legal consequences following the alleged October 2024 gang rape

Allegations in the civil lawsuit

• ▪A Cornell University student filed a 101-page civil lawsuit on September 14, 2026, alleging she was drugged and repeatedly raped over seven hours at the Chi Phi fraternity house on October 19, 2024
• ▪Cornell University student Jane Doe's civil lawsuit names seven Chi Phi fraternity members as defendants: Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar
• ▪Jane Doe's civil lawsuit alleges Johnathan Newell sent a Snapchat message to a fraternity group chat stating there was "free pussy upstairs," prompting at least five other members to join the alleged assault on Jane Doe

Accusations and denials

• ▪Attorneys for defendants Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris denied the Chi Phi fraternity sexual assault allegations, though Norris acknowledged sending a Snapchat message and briefly stopping in the fraternity house room where misconduct occurred
• ▪Jane Doe's civil lawsuit alleges that the Chi Phi fraternity members named as defendants snorted ketamine off her body and forced her to do the same off theirs

Debatable claims

• ▪Cornell University's disciplinary response to the Chi Phi sexual assault allegations was too lenient
• ▪A civil lawsuit's new allegations are sufficient grounds to reopen a closed criminal investigation
• ▪Fraternity members bear collective responsibility for preventing sexual misconduct within their chapters