District attorney reopens case of alleged Cornell University 'gang rape'

A civil lawsuit filed against Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity in 2024 alleges that seven fraternity members sexually assaulted a student, now known as Jane Doe, after drugging and incapacitating her. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened the investigation sparked by the civil lawsuit, considering bringing criminal charges, though he noted that the allegations in the civil complaint differ significantly from the woman's statement to police.

Van Houten said the investigation will present the case to a Tompkins County grand jury with Jane Doe's cooperation, aiming to reexamine if additional evidence could change their assessment of the case. The reopening comes after Cornell barred the fraternity from campus, though no individuals faced criminal charges. Jane Doe's attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, criticized Van Houten's office for not independently investigating the allegations and for not following up with his client, who claimed to have been drugged and willingly consumed alcohol and drugs.

The alleged incident was reported through a group chat in which fraternity members discussed the alleged events. Despite providing the group chat to authorities in 2024, Giuffra argues that it was a critical piece of evidence that should have been investigated further. Cornell University's Office of Civil Rights and Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated the allegations and found violations consistent with university policies, including potential sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion.

The Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains barred from the campus. Defendant Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris have denied the allegations, with Norris acknowledging sending an incriminating message but denying sexual activity or drug use.