Prosecutor reopens probe into Cornell gang rape allegations after accuser files lawsuit

Key Points:

• A New York prosecutor has reopened a gang rape investigation involving seven Cornell University fraternity members after a woman filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in 2024.
• The woman, a Cornell student, claims she was pressured into taking drugs and alcohol before becoming incapacitated and assaulted; she initially reported the incident to campus police but did not mention gang rape or drugging in her first statement.
• Cornell University conducted its own investigation, resulting in expulsions, suspensions, and the closure of the Chi Phi chapter, though it has not disclosed specific disciplinary details due to privacy laws.
• The lawsuit accuses the university of failing to prevent the assaults and properly address sexual violence, sparking public criticism and calls for cultural change, including comments from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemning a "culture of rape" at elite institutions.
• The prosecutor and university face pressure to explain their handling of the case, with a campus task force working on broader sexual assault prevention measures and student leaders calling for a fresh review of the investigation and fraternity culture.