The story so far: The 2024 alleged Cornell University sexual assault case in the U.S. has resurfaced now after the woman involved filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 against the university, the fraternity and the seven accused men. The alleged incident involved seven members of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity.
The university also referred the case for a criminal investigation to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office. But that initial investigation resulted in no charges. Matthew Van Houten, the Tompkins County District Attorney, maintained that the statement provided to his office did not establish a criminal offence under New York law. On the contrary, Jane Doe’s statement described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious, and consensual.
In November 2024, Jane Doe reported the incident to the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD), and Cornell subsequently started its own Title IX investigation. In a statement, the DA’s office said that “Jane Doe’s sworn statement in November of 2024 did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped. My office obviously did not and could not have based our November 2024 decision on the allegations in a civil lawsuit that would not be filed until nearly two years later.”
In September 2026, the District Attorney announced that the investigation would be reopened. Cornell conducted its own disciplinary process Title IX in January 2025, separate from the criminal investigation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. What evidence was actually provided to prosecutors is now one of the main issues being examined as the criminal investigation is being reopened. The university stated that “The university’s Title IX investigation was conducted over several months and included hearings where a panel of trained faculty and staff heard evidence over multiple days. The complainant and respondents had the opportunity to testify and present evidence in the university’s investigation. At its conclusion, the hearing panel issued a range of sanctions, which included expulsions and suspensions from Cornell. The criminal investigation has now been reopened. District Attorney Van Houten’s role in the case was replaced after Governor Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. Ms. James will oversee the criminal investigation and determine whether the evidence supports bringing criminal charges. Meanwhile, Jane Doe’s civil lawsuit is still ongoing. It names Cornell, the fraternity organisations and the seven men as defendants and lays out her allegations concerning the assault and Cornell’s handling of her complaint.
