Cornell 7 Defendant's Lawyers Seek Gag Order on Accuser's Attorney

Attorneys for one of the fraternity members accused in a lawsuit alleging a drugging and gang-rape at Cornell University are seeking a gag order against the accuser's attorney. They contend that the plaintiff's lawyer has engaged in a "media tour" that could prejudice potential jurors in the case.

The legal team representing Diego Sarabia, who is accused of forcibly kissing the unnamed woman and using ketamine on her, filed court papers arguing that plaintiff's attorney Thomas Giuffra has been "trying his case in the media since filing the lawsuit." Sarabia's lawyers, James Knox and Alishah Bhimani, stated in the filing that Giuffra's actions are an attempt to influence public opinion and could jeopardize the possibility of an impartial jury.

The defense's filing cited more than two dozen "extrajudicial statements" and media appearances by Giuffra, asserting that this is only a portion of his "media tour." They emphasized that the case is in its early stages, with several of the accused fraternity brothers not yet having legal representation formally enter the case.

Sarabia is one of seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University, collectively referred to as the 'Cornell 7,' who are defendants in a lawsuit filed by a woman identified in court documents as Jane Doe. The lawsuit alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by the group in 2024. The university has been facing scrutiny regarding the handling of sexual assault allegations at the Chi Phi house.