5 hrs ago
New York Reopens Cornell Fraternity Gang-Rape Investigation Into Allegations
Prosecutors in New York are looking again into an alleged sexual assault involving seven students at Cornell University.
The incident allegedly happened at a fraternity house in 2024.
A woman recently filed a lawsuit saying she was given alcohol and drugs and could not consent.
The district attorney said her original statement to campus police described the activity as voluntary and consensual.
Her lawyer says the original report was not meaningfully different from the lawsuit.
Prosecutors now plan to take the case to a grand jury.
A grand jury will decide whether there is enough evidence for criminal charges.
Cornell says it punished students and kept the fraternity chapter off campus.
Actress Florence Pugh publicly expressed support for the alleged victim and criticized people who stayed silent.
Tompkins County prosecutors will present allegations against seven fraternity members to a grand jury.
The investigation was reopened after a civil lawsuit alleged a 2024 assault at a Cornell fraternity house.
The district attorney said the woman’s original account described her drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual.
The woman’s lawyer disputed that characterization and said prosecutors should have investigated more thoroughly earlier.
Cornell said the fraternity chapter remains barred from campus and that members received expulsions, suspensions, or other sanctions.
- Who
- Tompkins County prosecutors, seven alleged fraternity members, the alleged victim, Cornell University, and attorneys involved in the case.
- What
- An investigation into an alleged 2024 gang rape at a Cornell fraternity house has been reopened, with prosecutors planning to seek possible indictments.
- Where
- A Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in New York state.
- When
- The alleged assault occurred in 2024; prosecutors announced the reopened investigation on Monday after a civil lawsuit was filed this month.
- Why
- The investigation was renewed after allegations in a civil lawsuit prompted public outrage, although the district attorney said the lawsuit differed from the alleged victim’s original account.
Prosecutors, Cornell, and Defense Position
Alleged Victim’s Legal Position
Original account and renewed investigation
Prosecutors, Cornell, and Defense Position
The district attorney said the alleged victim’s 2024 statement described her drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual, and said the civil lawsuit presented different allegations. A defense lawyer said his client only made an immature comment in a group chat and welcomed further investigation.
Alleged Victim’s Legal Position
The alleged victim’s lawyer said the police report was not materially different from the civil lawsuit and argued that prosecutors should have conducted a more thorough investigation earlier.
University response
Prosecutors, Cornell, and Defense Position
Cornell said it imposed consequential punishments, including expulsions and suspensions, and has kept the fraternity chapter barred from campus since 2024.
Alleged Victim’s Legal Position
The alleged victim’s account and public criticism, including from Florence Pugh, question whether the response to the alleged assault was adequate.
Key facts
- Investigation status
- Prosecutors plan to present the case against seven alleged perpetrators to a grand jury.
- Alleged incident
- An alleged sexual assault at a Cornell fraternity house in 2024.
- Civil lawsuit
- The lawsuit names seven Chi Phi members, Cornell University, and other defendants.
- Prosecutor’s explanation
- The district attorney said the original campus-police account described the woman’s drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual.
- Victim’s lawyer’s response
- Attorney Thomas Giuffra said the police report was not materially different from the civil lawsuit and criticized the earlier investigation.
- Cornell sanctions
- Cornell said two main accused students were expelled, while five others received suspensions or other sanctions, including essays and community service.
- Fraternity status
- The Chi Phi chapter involved has remained barred from Cornell’s campus since 2024.
Quotes
Matthew Van Houten
Tompkins County district attorney
“Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false”
telegraphindia.com
“described her drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious and consensual.”
telegraphindia.com
Florence Pugh
Actor who publicly supported the alleged victim
“I know this has happened before, and I hate the idea of it happening again. This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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