Investigation of alleged gang-rape at Cornell University fraternity house reopened

Prosecutors in New York have reopened an investigation into an alleged gang-rape at a Cornell University fraternity house following significant public outcry. The decision stems from a civil lawsuit filed by a student who claims she was drugged and assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. While the university initially expelled two members, no criminal charges were brought against any of the men at the time. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten cited a discrepancy between the student's initial police statement and the allegations presented in her recent lawsuit as the reason for the original lack of charges. The lawsuit details a harrowing account of the student being plied with drugs and alcohol before being assaulted by multiple men, some of whom were reportedly invited via a Snapchat group. Conversely, the district attorney noted that the victim's 2024 sworn statement described her conduct as voluntary and consensual. Due to the new allegations and public pressure, the district attorney has tasked a senior prosecutor with preparing a case for a grand jury. Cornell University has since closed the Chi Phi chapter and supports the renewed legal efforts to have the victim's story heard. The student's attorney maintains that neither the police nor the district attorney properly investigated the initial complaint, including critical digital evidence. Meanwhile, some of the named defendants have denied the allegations, while the case has sparked widespread commentary on the need for accountability regarding sexual violence on university campuses.