What happened at Cornell in 2024? Alleged ‘gang rape’ case explained as DA reopens probe; Florence Pugh, Gad speak out
Cornell 2024 Case: Allegations and Reopened Review
Bharatmorningnews.com – Questions about what happened at Cornell in 2024 have returned to public attention after a former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. Tompkins County prosecutors are also reviewing the matter again and plan to present it to a grand jury with the woman’s cooperation.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The seven former fraternity members named in the lawsuit can deny the claims and challenge them through the legal process.
What the civil lawsuit alleges
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, was a 20-year-old Cornell student when the alleged incident occurred on October 19, 2024. Her complaint says she had consumed alcohol before arriving at the Chi Phi house.
According to the filing, fraternity members encouraged her to take a substance described as ketamine before she was allegedly sexually assaulted. The complaint also refers to a Snapchat group chat in which members were allegedly asked to come upstairs while she was at the house.
The lawsuit names Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar. Cornell University, Chi Phi-related organizations, sorority organizations and other parties are also named in the civil action.
Why the district attorney reopened the case
The lawsuit states that Jane Doe reported the alleged incident to Cornell University Police in November 2024, but no criminal charges were filed at that time. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has said his office will reassess the available evidence and bring the matter before a grand jury.
Van Houten said the claims in the civil complaint were “dramatically different” from the account initially provided to police. He said the original review did not include allegations that the woman was unknowingly drugged or forced into sexual activity.
Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, disputes that characterization. He has said authorities did not sufficiently follow up with his client and that the fraternity group chat cited in the lawsuit had been provided to investigators in 2024.
A grand jury review does not establish guilt or innocence. Prosecutors use it to present evidence and determine whether criminal charges may be warranted, while the civil lawsuit proceeds separately.
Cornell and the defendants’ responses
Cornell has said it takes allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously. The university said its Office of Civil Rights and Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated and adjudicated the matter under campus procedures.
Because of federal privacy rules, Cornell cannot publicly discuss individual student disciplinary records. The university has confirmed that Chi Phi’s Xi chapter remains prohibited from operating on campus.
An attorney for Scott Kretzschmar has said the alleged event did not happen. Scott Norris has denied involvement in sexual activity or drug use, while acknowledging that he sent a message included in the complaint.
Celebrity reactions to the allegations
Actor Florence Pugh shared an Instagram statement after reading about the case, saying she felt “uneasy and sick and anxious.” She urged men to speak out against sexual violence and questioned whether institutions are doing enough to protect women.
Pugh later said Instagram had blocked her original post. Josh Gad also commented publicly, criticizing reports that disciplinary consequences for some accused students may have included writing essays.
FAQ: What happened at Cornell in 2024?
What is the Cornell case about? A former Cornell student alleges in a civil lawsuit that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca on October 19, 2024.
Have criminal charges been filed? No charges had been filed during the initial review. The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office has said it will revisit the evidence through a grand jury presentation.
Are the allegations proven? No. The claims remain allegations in a civil complaint, and the named defendants have the right to contest them in court.