Cornell Students Accused of Covering Up Fraternity Sex Assault, Lawyer Claims

Former members of Cornell University's now-defunct Chi Phi fraternity held meetings to coordinate their response to an alleged gang rape that occurred in October 2024, according to a lawyer representing the accuser. The fraternity members are accused of plying a female student with alcohol and drugs at a party before sexually assaulting her.

Following the alleged incident, Cornell police received an anonymous tip suggesting that fraternity leadership instructed potential witnesses to remain silent to protect the reputation of those involved and the fraternity itself, according to records obtained by ABC News. A female student reportedly told campus police that "Chi Phi held a meeting essentially to get all of the men on the same page about what happened." She also claimed that "GroupMe messages about the situation" exist.

During initial investigations, fraternity brothers allegedly described the incident to each other as a "consensual orgy" but expressed concerns about its potential negative impact on their image. While some members stated the incident was not a specific meeting topic, text messages obtained by outlets suggest efforts to manage the fallout after Cornell officials suspended the chapter.

One exchange revealed the fraternity's president asking a member who invited the accuser to the party, "When was the last time you spoke to [Jane Doe]?" The response was, "Yesterday... what's the plan of action? Should I call [her]? I don't think she would have reported this."

Audio recordings from a phone call between the accuser and the fraternity member who invited her reportedly show differing recollections of the events. The accuser stated she had consumed "10 shots deep" when the alleged assault began. In messages, she told the fraternity member, "If I wanted to take this somewhere, what y'all did would be classified as gang rape." She also recalled seeing "too many people" in the room during the incident.

The accuser's lawsuit alleges that seven men participated in the assault, during which she became incapacitated and lost consciousness. She reported the allegations to Cornell University Police on November 8, 2024, after friends encouraged her to come forward.

In contrast, the fraternity member who invited her later claimed he was the one sexually assaulted, alleging he was too intoxicated to consent. He also accused the university of "entrapment" in an email to Cornell's Title IX investigator, suggesting he would file his own complaint as a "survivor of this assault."

Following the university's disciplinary proceedings, the accused fraternity members faced various sanctions. Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell were expelled. Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes received suspensions and disciplinary probation, along with orders not to contact the accuser and requirements to study sexual harassment and write reflection papers. Diego Sarabia, who had already graduated, was barred from campus for three years. Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar, accused of entering the room after another member allegedly posted a Snapchat message advertising "free p***y," were also ordered not to contact Jane Doe and to complete similar educational and reflective assignments.

No criminal charges were filed against the individuals involved in the alleged assault at the time, as the Tompkins County District Attorney's office cited a lack of evidence based on the accuser's initial statement to police. However, the case has since been reopened, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor.

Cornell University has also hired former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to conduct a review of the university's handling of the case and its broader policies on sexual assault. This review will examine the institution's procedures for receiving and investigating reports, conducting hearings, making disciplinary decisions, and the coordination between campus police and other law enforcement agencies, as well as oversight of fraternities and sororities.