Cornell Graduate Suspended After False Accusation Linked to Fraternity Lawsuit
An alumnus named by online sleuths in connection with a sexual assault lawsuit at Cornell University has been suspended from his job, despite graduating before the alleged incident.
A Cornell University graduate has been suspended from his job after being falsely identified online as a participant in a controversial Snapchat group chat, which is central to a civil lawsuit alleging gang rape. The alumnus, referred to as 'B,' had completed his studies months before the incident described in the lawsuit took place.
Jane Doe's civil lawsuit, filed in October 2024, names seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers accused of sexual assault. The suit includes an image of a purported Snapchat group chat, "Chi Phi Actives," which allegedly contained messages referring to Doe. The group chat is reported to have had 57 participants.
Following the lawsuit's filing, social media users began attempting to identify individuals connected to the group chat. A TikTok user published a video that included an outdated Chi Phi roster, naming and showing dozens of men, including B, as members of the fraternity. This video garnered over 2 million views. The roster was subsequently featured on CornellSeven.com, a website created by activist Aaron Faulk.
Within a day of the video's circulation, B's employer began receiving anonymous messages linking him to Doe's case. He was subsequently placed on paid leave, even though his employer was aware he had graduated prior to the alleged assault. B stated that his company required him to prove he was not part of the Snapchat group.
Faulk's website initially listed B's name, photograph, current employer, residence, hometown, and Cornell major. B's attorney, Adam Ford, issued a cease-and-desist notice to Faulk. Faulk has since removed B from the roster, though B expressed concern that the misinformation had already caused significant damage to his reputation. He has deactivated his social media accounts, but reports that his family continues to be targeted online, and he has postponed his law school applications.
Another alumnus, identified as 'T,' also reported receiving harassing messages after being inaccurately included on Faulk's list. T graduated in 2022 and has a limited online presence. He is currently employed in his family's business and is concerned about maintaining his reputation.
Faulk's roster, which no longer uses the term "verified," currently lists 42 men as alleged members of the Snapchat group. The Daily Mail has not independently verified any of the names on the website. The site also labels the seven men accused by Doe as "rapists," despite no criminal charges being filed.
Ford has also contacted Faulk regarding approximately 10 other graduates who were incorrectly listed on the roster and were not part of the group chat. Faulk has since removed these individuals from the list.
The lawsuit filed by Doe alleges that she was sexually assaulted by fraternity brothers Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar on October 19, 2024. All seven men have denied the allegations.
Doe claims that the men engaged in sexual acts with her without her consent while she was incapacitated. She alleges they manipulated her into ingesting ketamine and alcohol, and that other individuals entered the room while she was unconscious. The lawsuit also states that messages describing her as sexually available circulated among fraternity members via Snapchat without her knowledge.
Doe, then a 20-year-old sophomore, reported the alleged assault to Cornell police in November 2024. Campus police investigated and forwarded their findings to the district attorney's office, which declined to press criminal charges. Cornell conducted a separate Title IX investigation.
The Chi Phi chapter was subsequently shut down, and the university announced expulsions and suspensions for some students. Cornell has also suspended all parties and social events at fraternity houses through the end of the 2026-27 academic year and implemented a "zero tolerance" policy for violations. Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff also stated the university would cooperate with New York State Police for independent investigations into sexual assault allegations.
Doe has reportedly received hundreds of harassing communications, including threats to her life. Her family has also been the subject of swatting incidents, where false emergency calls are made to dispatch law enforcement to a specific address.