New Video Shows Cornell Fraternity Members Telling Police Alleged Gang Rape Was Consensual
Newly released video from ABC News shows two Chi Phi fraternity brothers telling Cornell campus police that the alleged gang rape of Jane Doe was a 'consensual act' between adults. The footage, obtained in the weeks following the October 2024 incident, captures the brothers describing the event as involving multiple consenting participants. A separate interview in the same video features a female student claiming the fraternity held a meeting to align their stories, with members instructed to describe the event as a 'consensual orgy' to protect the group's image. Neither of the men interviewed is among the seven individuals named in Jane Doe’s lawsuit, which alleges she was drugged and assaulted at the Chi Phi house. The release of this footage adds to ongoing scrutiny of Cornell’s handling of the case, including a recent independent audit led by former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates.
Key points
- ABC News obtained video showing two Chi Phi brothers telling campus police the alleged assault was consensual.
- One brother stated there were 'multiple consenting adults' in the room, while the other confirmed a 'consensual act' took place.
- A female student in the video claimed the fraternity coordinated a cover-up, instructing members to call the event a 'consensual orgy.'
- The two men interviewed are not among the seven defendants named in Jane Doe’s civil lawsuit.
- The incident occurred on October 19, 2024, at the Chi Phi fraternity house on Cornell’s campus.
Background
This development follows a lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in November 2024, alleging she was drugged and gang-raped by Chi Phi members after attending events at Tri-Delta and Moonies Bar. Previous coverage noted that Cornell imposed suspensions and expulsions, though the Tompkins County District Attorney declined to prosecute due to insufficient evidence. In October 2026, Cornell appointed former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to lead an independent review of the university’s response to the allegations. Additionally, attorney Thomas Giuffra recently alleged that the fraternity engaged in a 'conspiracy of silence' to suppress details of the incident, claims that the fraternity members have denied, stating the topic arose casually during a weekly meeting.
Why it matters
The video provides direct evidence of how fraternity members framed the incident to law enforcement, potentially undermining claims that the assault was non-consensual. It highlights the tension between the victim’s allegations of drugging and assault and the fraternity’s narrative of consensual activity. This footage may influence the ongoing independent audit by Sally Yates and the criminal investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James, as it suggests an attempt to control the narrative and minimize the severity of the event among peers and officials.
What to watch
The release of this video is likely to intensify scrutiny on Cornell’s Title IX and police investigations. The independent audit led by Sally Yates may examine the fraternity’s internal communications and the university’s handling of the initial reports. The New York Attorney General’s office may also review this footage as part of its criminal investigation, potentially affecting decisions on whether to pursue charges against the seven named defendants or other individuals involved in the alleged cover-up.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on New York Post