Cornell University Disciplinary Actions Contradict Gang-Rape Accuser's Claims

Two Cornell University fraternity brothers were expelled and others suspended for more than a year following a university disciplinary panel’s findings on alleged sexual assault, contradicting the accuser’s claims that the group faced minimal consequences. The disciplinary actions were taken against members of the so-called “Cornell 7.”

Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell were expelled in May 2025 after being found responsible for sexual assault, according to documents obtained by The New York Times. The panel also found that Ingalls exploited, manipulated, and endangered the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, for his self-interest and others’ entertainment. Newell was found to have manipulated the accuser into taking ketamine and to have engaged in intercourse with her forcefully enough to cause bruising.

These findings stemmed from a private Cornell campus police investigation that did not result in criminal charges for any of the men regarding the alleged October 2024 incident. The disciplinary panel’s report does not carry legal standing, and each of the accused brothers has denied allegations of rape.

The punishments contrast with the accuser’s September civil lawsuit, which alleged a gang rape and claimed all seven brothers received only minor sanctions, such as writing essays.

Cornell has publicly stated that the accuser’s assertion that the university did nothing more than require punishment essays was “irresponsible.”

Of the seven accused, only Ingalls and Newell were found responsible for sexual assault by the university concerning the alleged incident, which the accuser described as being plied with alcohol and ketamine before being subjected to an hourslong assault by multiple fraternity members.

Winston Lee, another accused brother, was suspended for two years. He faced allegations of forced oral sex and snorting ketamine off the accuser’s body. Gillio Lopes, also accused of non-consensual sex, was suspended for three semesters and placed on probation. Both Lee and Lopes were also required to complete sexual harassment education and submit reflection essays, in addition to being barred from contacting the accuser.

Diego Sarabi, accused of forcibly kissing the accuser, had already graduated by the time the disciplinary panel convened but was banned from returning to campus for three years. Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris, accused of being present in the room where the alleged assault occurred following texts of “free p—sy” being circulated in a fraternity-wide chat, were ordered to write reflection papers. Kretzschmar was found not responsible for sexual assault but was determined to have committed attempted sexual exploitation.

His lawyer stated that Kretzschmar was “never accused of, nor found responsible for, rape.”

The Chi Phi fraternity was suspended from campus shortly after the accuser reported the alleged assault to the university. Despite the school’s findings, the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges. Prosecutors stated that the accuser’s own statements indicated her participation in sex and drug consumption was consensual.

Her lawyer expressed that the punishments imposed on the fraternity members did not adequately reflect the severity of the charges. He added that most of the accused would still be able to graduate and benefit from their Cornell degrees, while his client’s future academic and personal life would be significantly impacted by the events.