Ithaca Moratorium

Cornell Gang Rape Lawsuit Names Michigan Man; DA Reopens Probe, Mayor Demands Greek Life Moratorium

A civil lawsuit filed in September 2026 alleges that seven Cornell University fraternity members drugged and gang-raped a student in October 2024. The complaint names Scott Kretzchmar, a Southeast Michigan resident, among the accused. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened the criminal investigation for grand jury review, while Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo has called for a moratorium on Greek life events. Cornell University maintains it imposed severe disciplinary sanctions, including expulsions, and closed the Chi Phi chapter, rejecting claims that its response was inadequate.