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Cornell University Chi Phi drug arrest preceded civil rape lawsuit
foxnews.com • • general
Key Points:
- Cornell University campus police arrested a student on drug charges at the Chi Phi fraternity house less than 24 hours before seven former members were accused in a civil lawsuit of gang raping a female classmate during a party held at the house.
- The civil lawsuit alleges the victim was pressured into snorting ketamine, a drug known to facilitate sexual assault, during the party on Oct. 19-20, 2024; the fraternity was suspended on Nov. 8, the same day the victim reported the assault to campus police.
- Tompkins County prosecutors initially declined to file criminal charges, stating the victim's November 2024 statement described drug use and sexual conduct as consensual, but a later interview transcript indicates the victim asserted she was raped.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations, while one defendant's attorney has called for a thorough and objective investigation to ensure justice.
- Following the allegations, vandalism occurred at an administrative building on campus, prompting university officials to condemn the damage and pledge an investigation in accordance with policy and law.
