Alleged gang rape at Cornell: Prosecutors reopen investigation into alleged assault at Chi Phi fraternity house

Key Points:

• New York prosecutors are reopening the investigation into the alleged 2024 gang rape of a former Cornell student after a civil lawsuit claimed the university failed to protect the victim, with the case now set to be presented to a grand jury.
• The civil complaint alleges seven members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity drugged and sexually assaulted the woman, sharing messages in a group chat that encouraged others to join, while Cornell denies claims that accused students could mitigate punishment by submitting essays.
• The Tompkins County District Attorney initially declined charges due to differences between the victim’s original police statement and the civil complaint, and reliance on the university police investigation rather than independent probes.
• Cornell has suspended the fraternity chapter, imposed a range of sanctions on accused students including expulsions, and launched a sexual assault task force, rejecting claims that punishments were minimal or that essays were the sole consequence.
• The lawsuit and lack of criminal charges have sparked widespread outrage, drawing condemnation from public figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and actress Florence Pugh, who criticized institutional protection of perpetrators over victims.