Tompkins County DA Reopens 2024 Cornell Fraternity Rape Probe After Civil Suit

Key points

• Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten confirmed on Monday that his office is reopening the criminal investigation into the alleged October 2024 assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house.
• The victim, identified as Jane Doe in a civil lawsuit filed in September 2026, alleges she was drugged with ketamine and repeatedly raped by seven fraternity members over seven hours.
• Van Houten stated that the new allegations in the lawsuit are 'dramatically different' from the victim's original 2024 police statement, which described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual.
• Cornell University's vice-president for university relations, Kyle Kimball, stated that the university supports the grand jury review but disputes claims that only minor sanctions were imposed, noting that expulsions and suspensions were issued.
• The civil lawsuit names seven defendants: Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar. Two defendants have denied the allegations in statements to ABC News.
• The case has drawn national attention, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemning a 'culture of rape' at elite institutions and actor Florence Pugh praising the victim's 'strong will' in a public statement.

Background

The alleged assault occurred in October 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University. The victim, then 20 years old, reported the incident to campus police approximately three weeks later. In November 2024, the Tompkins County District Attorney declined to prosecute based on the initial police statement. The case gained renewed national attention in September 2026 after the victim filed a civil lawsuit against the university and the seven alleged perpetrators, alleging that the university imposed minimal penalties such as essay-writing and workshops, rather than criminal charges. The lawsuit also alleges that a message was sent to a fraternity Snapchat group during the assault, and that at least five other members joined in. The university has stated that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity remains barred from its campus.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and The Washington Post report that the Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, has reopened the investigation due to discrepancies between the victim's 2024 police statement and her 2026 civil lawsuit. Van Houten emphasized that the new allegations are 'dramatically different' and that his office did not base its 2024 decision on the later civil complaint. The Guardian notes that the victim's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, criticized the lack of follow-up from police and the DA, stating that the victim was never contacted by specially trained detectives. The Washington Post highlights that Cornell University supports the grand jury review but disputes claims that it imposed only minor sanctions, stating that expulsions and suspensions were issued. The Guardian also notes that two defendants, Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris, denied the allegations in statements to ABC News, with Norris acknowledging he sent a message but denying sexual activity. CNN and 13wham.com provide similar coverage, focusing on the reopening of the investigation and the civil lawsuit. The Washington Post also notes that the case has drawn national attention, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemning a 'culture of rape' at elite institutions and actor Florence Pugh praising the victim's 'strong will' in a public statement.

Why it matters

The reopening of the investigation highlights ongoing concerns about the handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses, particularly at elite institutions. The case underscores the importance of thorough and consistent reporting by victims and the need for specialized training for law enforcement in handling abuse survivors. It also raises questions about the adequacy of university disciplinary responses and the potential for civil lawsuits to reveal new details that may lead to criminal charges. The case has drawn national attention and criticism, with public figures and politicians calling for accountability and change in the handling of such cases.

What to watch

The Tompkins County District Attorney intends to present the case to a grand jury with the victim's cooperation. The grand jury will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the seven alleged perpetrators. The civil lawsuit against Cornell University and the seven defendants is also ongoing, and the university has stated that it will respond in detail through the legal process. The case may also lead to further scrutiny of university disciplinary policies and the handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses.