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New York state prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into allegations that seven members of student organizations at Cornell University sexually assaulted a student in 2024.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office would reassess the allegations after a former student filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against seven men, Cornell University and other parties. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury.
Allegations and reopening of investigation
The civil lawsuit says the student, who was 20 at the time, was pressured to consume alcohol and drugs at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. According to the lawsuit, the student later became incapacitated and unable to consent before being sexually assaulted.
Van Houten said no criminal charges were filed in 2024. He attributed that decision to the student’s statement to campus police at the time, in which the student described the drug use and sexual activity as voluntary and consensual. He said the allegations in the new civil lawsuit differ from the initial statement.
The student’s attorney, Thomas Cuffra, disputed that assessment. He said the police report did not differ substantially from the civil lawsuit and accused investigators of failing to conduct a thorough inquiry, including by not examining alleged group messages on Snapchat involving the fraternity.
Van Houten said the civil lawsuit had raised questions about the existence of additional evidence. The prosecutor’s office plans to speak with the student again and examine new information. The case is then expected to be presented to a grand jury, which could determine whether charges are brought.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and no criminal charges have been announced.
Cornell’s position
Cornell University said it supported reopening the criminal investigation and defended the steps it took in response to the allegations in 2024.
The university said a separate Title IX investigation resulted in various disciplinary measures against students, including expulsion and suspension. The Cornell chapter of Chi Phi, which was linked to the incident, was barred from operating on campus in 2024, and that ban remains in effect.
Cornell denied claims that students had been punished only by being required to write essays, saying the allegations were untrue.
Attorneys for at least two people named in the lawsuit have denied the allegations. Jeremy Saland, who represents Scott Kretchmar, said his client made only an inappropriate comment in a Snapchat conversation and had no other involvement in the incident. The attorney said Kretchmar welcomed the renewed investigation.
Calls from local and state officials
The incident has also prompted action by local and state officials. Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo proposed an immediate moratorium on permits for student and special events, including gatherings held by student organizations and fraternities.
The proposal requires approval from the Ithaca City Council and could remain in effect until Cornell reviews and updates its procedures for preventing and responding to sexual assault and makes revised standards public.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also supported reopening the criminal investigation and called for an independent review of Cornell’s response to the allegations. Hochul said an external investigation should determine whether the university had fulfilled its obligations to protect students and ensure justice.
The investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors are expected to present the case to a grand jury after determining what charges, if any, may be appropriate.
Reaction on social media and in public
The allegations have prompted widespread reaction on social media. Users have demanded accountability from the accused, Cornell University and the institutions involved.
There have also been attempts to identify people named in the lawsuit and contact their employers. The prosecutor’s office said the public response included calls for accountability as well as insults and threats directed at the district attorney’s office.
Several actors and public figures have also commented on the case. Actress Florence Pugh said an Instagram post in which she addressed the allegations had been placed behind a sensitive-content warning and questioned whether it had been censored because she was speaking about sexual assault. Variety reported that the post was later made accessible again.
Pugh called on men to speak out against sexual assault and said universities needed to do more to protect students. Actor Josh Gad criticized the disciplinary measures described in the lawsuit, while actor Hudson Williams called for the accused to be arrested.
Actress Mariska Hargitay also posted comments condemning the allegations and questioning whether other fraternity members had intervened. Actress Jameela Jamil called for those responsible to face criminal accountability.
The accused have not been convicted. Attorneys representing some of them deny the allegations, while Cornell University rejects claims that students were punished only by being required to write essays.
