New York prosecutors have announced they are reopening an investigation into an alleged 2024 rape involving students at Cornell University. The renewed scrutiny follows a recent civil lawsuit filed by the alleged victim, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, who is suing seven individuals associated with the Chi Phi fraternity, the organization itself, and the university.
In the complaint filed earlier this month in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Doe alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple men for more than four hours at a Cornell fraternity house in October 2024. In response to the legal action, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten issued a nine-page statement confirming that his office is evaluating the case to determine if appropriate criminal charges can be filed. If charges are deemed viable, the matter will be presented to a grand jury. Van Houten said he has assigned a senior prosecutor with expertise in sex crimes to oversee the preparation process.
University officials at Cornell released a statement supporting the decision to reopen the investigation while defending their institutional response two years prior. Kyle Kimball, the university’s vice president for university relations, stated that Cornell conducted a thorough Title IX investigation involving a panel of faculty and staff who heard evidence over several days. Although no criminal charges were filed initially, the university confirmed that disciplinary actions, including suspensions and expulsions, were issued following that hearing, without specifying the individuals involved. Kimball also noted that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi was banned from campus when the initial allegations surfaced.
Van Houten addressed the public outcry regarding the lack of initial criminal action, noting that the claims in the civil lawsuit differ significantly from the sworn statement provided by Doe in November 2024. According to the district attorney, the original statement described the victim’s participation in drug use and sexual activity as voluntary and consensual, rather than alleging drugging or group assault. Van Houten emphasized that his office was not previously contacted by Doe’s attorneys to clarify these discrepancies until recently.
Attorneys representing Jane Doe did not respond to requests for comment before the publication of this report.
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