Cornell University gang rape case reopening 2026
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Cornell faculty pass no-confidence vote over Jane Doe allegations handling
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that state police would investigate any future sexual offence complaints at Cornell.
Cornell announced a series of measures in response to the assault allegations, including cancelling fraternity parties.
Anne Meinig Smalling is the chairwoman of Cornell's board of trustees.
Cornell faculty senate votes no confidence in school leadership over alleged gang-rape fallout
Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly, a former sex crimes federal prosecutor, to lead the matter and report to her office.
Jane Doe filed a civil suit against the men and the university alleging that she had been drugged and raped.
Seventy-five members of the faculty senate voted in favor of the resolution, 5 voted against it, 50 abstained from the vote, and 5 did not vote.
“It is a call for real, systemic change; not a slow-moving taskforce, weakly enforced ban on fraternity parties, or expensive PR damage control, but meaningful, evidence-based steps to reduce the incidence of sexual assault on campus and provide significant support to and justice for survivors.”
Gov Hochul's cameo in Cornell sex-assault documentary raises concerns
None of the seven men accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Cornell have been criminally charged.
A spokesperson for Hochul said governors routinely speak to news and media organizations about matters of significant public interest.
The documentary is titled 'Instadocs: Jane Doe v. Cornell' and was released on Netflix.
“multiple prosecutors and criminal investigators reviewed Jane Doe’s statement and correctly determined the alleged facts as set forth in the statement do not constitute a crime.”
New York governor directs NYPD to investigate Cornell sex complaints
Cornell announced a series of measures responding to the alleged assault, including adding sexual assault investigators to its police force.
Jane Doe claimed that Cornell failed to protect her or adequately punish the men, who became known as the Cornell Seven.
New York State Police signed an agreement with Cornell University so that all sexual offence complaints will be immediately referred to state police instead of university police.
“to know their allegations will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated by law enforcement trained to support survivors”
Cornell begins no-confidence vote over handling of alleged gang rape
Faculty members started the no-confidence vote on Thursday, expected to continue until November 6.
Letitia James's office said the challenges are without merit.
Michael Kotlikoff is the president of Cornell University.
“Hundreds of students, staff, faculty and alumni approached the sponsors of this resolution to emphasize to us that the Jane Doe case is but a tip of the iceberg,”
Cornell student named in civil suit seeks dismissal from case
Sarabia's attorney James Knox wrote that Doe did not allege Sarabia supplied her with drugs or alcohol, participated in alleged sexual encounters, or was present for most of the conduct forming the basis of the lawsuit.
Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond called the gag order request a "side show" meant to distract from the merits of the case.
New York Attorney General Letitia James was appointed special prosecutor by Governor Kathy Hochul and is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Cornell rape accuser allowed to remain 'Jane Doe'
A judge allowed the former Cornell student who sued Chi Phi fraternity members over rape allegations to continue using the pseudonym "Jane Doe."
Van Houten said Doe's sworn statement from November 2024 described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual."
New York Supreme Court Justice Phaedra Perry-Bond is presiding over the civil case.
Jane Doe in Cornell lawsuit allowed to remain anonymous
All seven men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing.
A judge in New York decided that the former Cornell University student known as Jane Doe can pursue her sexual assault claim against the university and seven fraternity members while remaining anonymous.
Attorney Thomas Giuffra told ABC News that Jane Doe and her family have been subjected to threats, doxxing and other forms of harassment.
“While the Court is cognizant that some members of the public have made it their mission to try and identify Jane Doe, and have likewise tried to use what they believe to be Jane Doe's identity to harass and threaten certain individuals allegedly tied to her, the Court issues the following words of caution: cyberstalking and engaging in or encouraging threats across state lines, whether it be of Jane Doe, any of the named defendants, or their attorneys, can be considered a federal crime and perpetrators of those acts may be subjecting themselves to prosecution,”
Cornell Jane Doe says university president doubted her gang-rape allegation
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to serve as a special prosecutor in the matter after losing confidence in Van Houten.
A Cornell spokesperson said the second-hand account of Kotlikoff's question in the letter is incorrect, based on a documented first-hand account.
Van Houten claimed Jane Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious, and consensual.
“It diminished my confidence in the administration's ability to approach my experience with the understanding, sensitivity, and fairness I had hoped for and expected from what had been my dream school.”
Ex-student alleging sexual assault felt unsupported by Cornell president
Jane Doe said she was told Kotlikoff's initial response was along the lines of "Why did she wait so long to report it?".
A Cornell spokesperson said the question was directed at bystanders who did not use Cornell's anonymous tip line.
All of the men named in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing, and none have been criminally charged.
Cornell sexual assault case causes prospective students to reconsider
Cornell suspended all fraternity parties and social events for the remainder of the 2026-27 academic year.
A civil complaint was filed in September by a former student identified as Jane Doe alleging she was sexually assaulted in October 2024 at a fraternity house on Cornell's campus in Ithaca, New York.
Cornell is the largest Ivy League school by undergraduate enrollment.
“These conversations, and campus protests, have underscored my deep conviction that we must do better: that the time for meaningful and lasting change at Cornell, and at campuses across the country, is now,”
Cornell defense seeks to remove Letitia James from fraternity probe
Miltenberg and an attorney representing another defendant filed a motion seeking to invalidate James' appointment as special prosecutor.
Attorney Andrew Miltenberg represents Cornell student Gillio Lopes.
Prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges, concluding the evidence did not meet the threshold under New York law.
“I am hopeful that the judge will see it that way and will void her appointment and appoint or ask the governor to appoint someone equally as experienced, equally as interested in the facts and perhaps less personally invested in the case,”
Mark Geragos responds to claim he leaked Jane Doe identity in Cornell case
Thomas Giuffra postulates that Mark Geragos's daughter Teny is funneling information to her father.
Jane Doe's lawyer is Thomas Giuffra.
Thomas Giuffra filed legal docs opposing a proposed gag order in the Jane Doe case.
Cornell president faces contentious faculty senate meeting over Jane Doe allegations
University President Michael Kotlikoff defended himself and Cornell's administration during pointed questions from school staff.
No criminal charges were brought at the time of the incident, and the investigation has been reopened following Jane Doe's lawsuit.
Four of the men named in the lawsuit, through their attorneys, have denied coercing Jane Doe with drugs or sexually assaulting her.
Cornell president defends response to Jane Doe allegations in faculty meeting
The faculty senate was considering a no-confidence resolution to condemn Cornell's response to sexual violence on campus.
Kotlikoff said he understood that people feel the response is reactive.
Tamarkin said students, colleagues, and staff have said they do not feel safe with the accused men on campus.
“I just think we have to all take a step and carefully study this issue. If, at the end of the day, fraternities cannot exist in a safe environment and we can't be convinced that they can be safe, then we should make that decision.”
Cornell University faculty debates no-confidence resolution
The formal vote on the resolution is scheduled to take place after an October 28 meeting and last for five days.
Cornell finalized its "expressive activity policy" last year in the aftermath of campus protests.
Approximately 150 faculty members have signaled support for the resolution.
“We are working with the New York State Police to allow their experienced, trauma-informed criminal investigators, who are independent of Cornell University, to investigate allegations of sexual assault on campus. These individuals will interview survivors who elect to pursue criminal charges and will prepare comprehensive investigative summaries for the appropriate law enforcement agency,”
Cornell University bans fraternity parties after gang sex assault allegations
At least two of the accused men have asked the courts to recuse New York Attorney General Letitia James from the case over her tweeted support for the victim.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced the suspension in a message to the campus community on Tuesday.
Kotlikoff said the measures would provide time for a thorough review of fraternity life at Cornell to determine whether and how it can safely continue.
“It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe. We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action,”
Cornell fraternity sexual assault case leads to party cancellations and president scrutiny
A special committee of the Cornell University Board of Trustees retained Sally Yates to lead an independent review of how the university prevents and responds to sexual harassment, sexual assault and related misconduct on campus.
The Tompkins County district attorney declined to bring charges against the men in 2024, saying there was not sufficient evidence.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate the claims.
Cornell gang rape case raises concerns about fraternity culture
A former Cornell undergraduate student identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped by a group of men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
Sarabia is accused in the lawsuit of grabbing and kissing Jane Doe before pouring lines of Ketamine on her body.
Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond agreed to seal some filings in the case, condemning threats and doxing as dangerous internet vigilantism.
“Our society has developed procedures and legal mechanisms over the course of centuries to ensure justice and due process are afforded to all. When certain actors decide to work outside those robust and developed frameworks, innocent people often get hurt. That is precisely what has happened here.”
Push to remove Letitia James from Cornell rape probe over alleged bias
Local prosecutor Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue charges in the case.
Local prosecutor Matthew Van Houten announced he would be reopening the case on Sept. 28.
Letitia James made a social media post on Sept. 28.
Sally Yates review of Cornell alleged gang rape
Cornell has defended its handling of the allegations, pointing to an investigation that included more than 50 interviews and 12 days of disciplinary hearings.
The men have denied wrongdoing, with some maintaining the sexual activity was consensual and others denying they participated.
No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men.
“Those full recorded interviews, I can tell you from experience, have a treasure trove of information that are really, really important to exactly what happened,”
Jane Doe in Cornell seven case receives threats
Jane Doe was the victim of a swatting episode during the week of October 10, 2026.
Giuffra told CNN that someone could have ended up dead if an officer had been trigger-happy.
Caitlin Flanagan wrote in the Free Press questioning what attracts women to attend fraternity parties late at night.
Sally Yates profiled as Cornell rape-review pick, former Trump travel ban opponent
Yates said in a letter that her responsibility was to ensure the position of the Department of Justice was legally defensible and informed by the best view of the law.
Cornell previously investigated the alleged assault and imposed suspensions and expulsions on several students accused of involvement.
Yates' review will assess Cornell's broader policies and handling of sexual assault and dating violence allegations, while James' investigation will examine the case at the center of the controversy.
Second defendant in Cornell fraternity case seeks New York AG's recusal
Geragos argued that Hochul and James created a blatant appearance of impropriety that should lead to the AG's recusal.
Attorneys for Winston Lee filed a motion in Tompkins County criminal court seeking to disqualify New York Attorney General Letitia James from any future grand jury proceedings.
None of the men named in the suit has been criminally charged.
Cornell rape case accuser has received threats, attorney says
The woman alleging rape is known in legal documents as Jane Doe.
No criminal charges were initially filed in connection with the allegations.
The attorney for the woman alleging she was raped at a Cornell University fraternity house says both he and his client have received death threats.
Ithaca council passes moratorium on new Cornell events permits
The Ithaca Common Council voted to pass a temporary moratorium on special events permits at Cornell University.
Mayor Cantelmo said the moratorium is not intended to infringe on any student's right to exercise freedom of religion, speech or peaceful assembly.
The survey identified campus-affiliated settings like residence halls and fraternity houses as the location of most incidents.
“should not be for all students and should not punish all students who have nothing to do with what is going on with the sexual assault case,”
Cornell fraternity ketamine incident details emerge in Jane Doe case
Jonathan Newell responded to Jane Doe's text saying he had no memory of her doing drugs off his penis.
Someone who reviewed the hearing panel's decision told TMZ the panel found Newell did not have "affirmative consent."
Doe's lawyer told TMZ that the Cornell University disciplinary committee expelled Jonathan Newell because he had sex with her without her consent.
Cornell faculty pressure officials over alleged gang rape
ABC News obtained an extended version of a Snapchat group chat shared among more than 50 fraternity brothers during the alleged assault.
Cornell said it conducted a Title IX investigation and issued sanctions including expulsions and suspensions.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff released a video statement on October 3 calling the incident a defining moment and pledging reforms.
“Now in this case, the testimony from people who are not these frat boys but people who saw Ms. Doe before and other people who testified before the Title IX hearing said she was heavily intoxicated, heavily, heavily, heavily intoxicated,”
Cornell hearing panel hears Jane Doe testimony about alleged 2024 gang rape
The panel expelled two students and suspended two others three months after the hearing.
Jane Doe alleged she was raped by 8-10 fraternity brothers at Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity house.
One of Jane Doe's friends testified that Jane Doe's initial belief that the incident was consensual was due to shock.
Activists graffiti Cornell hall over gang rape case
An anonymous student identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging a gang rape at the fraternity Chi Phi.
The lawsuit alleges Cornell allowed accused fraternity members to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays.
Two of the accused students were expelled and another two were suspended.
“rampant pattern of sexual assault perpetrated by members of Greek life at Cornell University and hundreds of other academic institutions throughout the country”
Students vandalize Cornell building over gang-rape allegations handling
According to lawyers for the student, only two members of the Chi Phi fraternity were expelled after the October 2024 incident.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate the alleged gang rape at Cornell University.
The vandalism was driven by a lawsuit alleging a 2024 fraternity-house gang rape.
“a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life”
Cornell students allegedly tried to contain rape allegations
Jane Doe described the incident as 'gang rape' in a phone call with Matthew Ingalls.
Jane Doe reported the incident to Cornell police, but no charges were brought.
Investigators looked into at least one instance when Ingalls appeared to ask one witness to submit new evidence that could exonerate him.
Cornell president responds to fraternity rape allegations
Kotlikoff said Cornell's Board of Trustees would announce details of the independent review next week.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to bring charges, citing a 'voluntary intoxication loophole' in New York law.
At a student assembly hearing on Thursday, several speakers called for Kotlikoff's resignation.
“a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life”
Cornell rape accuser faces threats demanding she drop lawsuit
Matthew Van Houten defended his decision by saying Jane Doe's initial six-page statement to police did not allege criminality.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten did not review additional information from Cornell police before deciding not to pursue charges.
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to consider whether criminal charges are appropriate.
Cornell University student sexual assault case and drug arrest
Andrew Miltenberg, an attorney for one of the accused students, called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to recuse herself, citing her prior public comments supporting the accuser.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue criminal charges.
Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff said the university's disciplinary process resulted in two expulsions and two suspensions of at least two semesters.
“But there is an important difference between supporting a person who makes an allegation and appearing to accept the factual premise of that allegation before conducting an investigation.”
Cornell University gang rape allegations and response
Cornell said it imposed a range of disciplinary measures including expulsions.
Kotlikoff said Cornell would take a serious look at the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life.
Cornell University barred the Chi Phi fraternity from campus.
Cornell rape case and rape-prone society commentary
A civil lawsuit was filed by Jane Doe against alleged perpetrators of a 2024 gang rape at Cornell University.
Between 20% and 25% of women college students will be the victim of a sexual assault.
Anthropologist Peggy Sanday identified rape-prone and rape-free societies, finding that in rape-free cultures women have far more authority, status, safety and freedom.
Cornell rape case Snapchat messages reported
Four of the men involved said they had consensual sex with the woman, while the others said they did not have sexual contact with her.
The former student's statement that she was raped with 100 percent confidence did not appear in the summary campus police prepared for the local district attorney.
Cornell's chapter of Chi Phi was shut down, and the former student left the school.
Cornell fraternity rape allegations: seven men accused, accuser under siege online
Women have posted videos of themselves under the title 'I am Jane Doe' on social media to shield the accuser's identity.
A political commentator vowed to unmask the accuser, arguing it was unfair for her to remain anonymous while the men are publicly named despite not being charged.
Giuffra said postings have incorrectly identified other women as Doe.
Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged gang-rape at Cornell
Letitia James said on X that she stood ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law.
Cornell said it provided evidence to the district attorney's office from its own investigation, including a Snapchat group chat in which fraternity members discussed a sexual encounter with Doe.
Doe's lawyer Thomas Giuffra accused the district attorney of repeatedly changing his story amid news coverage of the case.
Cornell sexual assault case: NY governor criticizes handling, appoints prosecutor
Dinowitz says that around half of US states have already changed their laws to say it makes no difference whether intoxication is voluntarily or involuntarily in rape cases.
Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell University in September.
Jane Doe's lawyer Thomas Giuffra told CNN on Friday that his client is not doing well.
“This young woman had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable, and then at every turn she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her.”
Opinion on Cornell rape case and ordinary failures of the system
Van Houten reversed his decision and reopened the case following public outcry.
The Cornell Daily Sun broke the story of the lawsuit and reported that the accused were asked to write an essay as part of their punishment.
The lawsuit alleges the men plied the plaintiff with alcohol and pressured her to snort ketamine before assaulting her when she was severely intoxicated.
Cornell rape allegations renew push to change New York sexual assault law
Jane Doe reported her allegations to campus police in November 2024.
Van Houten told CBS News he had not seen a transcript of a campus police interview in which the woman said 'I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.'
Van Houten's office announced it will reopen the investigation and bring the case before a grand jury.
Cornell case highlights difficulties for victims reporting campus sex assaults
A former Cornell student filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped by several men at a fraternity house at Cornell in 2024.
Cornell said its investigation resulted in the fraternity involved being barred from campus, and that students involved were suspended or expelled.
Mary did not attend Cornell and her case is not connected with the university.
Cornell University alleged gang-rape and campus response
According to lawyers for the student, only two members of the Chi Phi fraternity were expelled after the October 2024 incident.
Jane Doe alleged she was drugged and raped at a Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in October 2024.
Letitia James said her office would fully and fairly investigate the allegations.
“While I generally refrain from commenting publicly on criminal investigations, the community outrage stemming from the incomplete news and social media coverage requires that I provide an answer to why the investigation resulted in a lack of criminal charges,”
District attorney reopens alleged Cornell University gang rape case
Jane Doe's attorney Thomas P. Giuffra disputed Van Houten's description of the woman's initial statement to the Cornell University Police Department and said authorities never followed up with his client.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced his office is reopening the investigation of an alleged gang rape at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024.
Cornell said the Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains barred from its campus.
“My client went to the Cornell University Police because a crime was committed. It was the obligation of the police to investigate the complaints. They were given the group chat inviting the members of the fraternity to rape my client. This was a critical piece of evidence supporting that a crime had occurred. Despite this there was no follow-up with Ms. Doe either by the Cornell Police or the Tompkins County District Attorney,”