Cornell University Lawsuit Exposes Text Messages in Alleged Gang Rape Case

Cornell University is facing a deepening controversy following a bombshell civil lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was gang-raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The incident, which occurred at an off-campus house, has resurfaced after prosecutors initially declined to bring criminal charges due to insufficient evidence, stating the accuser was "voluntary, conscious, and consensual" throughout the night. However, the case has been reopened with a special prosecutor appointed to investigate Jane Doe's claims.

The seven fraternity brothers named in the lawsuit have denied the allegations. One accused member has claimed he was too intoxicated to commit an assault and, in a counter-claim, suggested that Jane Doe was the one who assaulted him.

Allegations of Assault and Communication

According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe's night began with underage drinking at several bars with sorority sisters before she was invited to an afterparty at the Chi Phi fraternity house. She claims she met a friend, Matthew Ingalls, and agreed to have sex with him and another man. Doe alleges she was then pressured to consume ketamine and marijuana, leading to disorientation as other men entered the room. The lawsuit includes claims that a message was sent to the Chi Phi Snapchat group stating there was "free p***y" upstairs, inviting others to the room.

The named defendants in the civil suit include Matthew Ingalls, Jonathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris, and Scott Kretzschmar.

Text Messages and Conflicting Accounts

Following the alleged incident, text messages exchanged between Jane Doe and some of the accused fraternity members reveal a complex and often contradictory narrative. On October 21, 2024, Jonathan Newell texted Doe, stating that he and Ingalls felt terrible for being too intoxicated to "shut it down and kick people out before it got way out of hand." Jane Doe reportedly replied that "none of the sexual stuff was illegal, and honestly I really liked being w u and Matt."

Two days later, on October 23, Doe texted Ingalls, stating, "Bro, everyone knows." She expressed that the incident was "RUINING my life temporarily" and that her reputation had been damaged. Ingalls responded by suggesting the situation would blow over and that she had "nothing to be ashamed of." Jane Doe agreed, replying, "It'll get better."

By October 25, Ingalls texted Doe again, asking "U good?" Doe responded, alleging that Newell "def told people" about the events. She sent Ingalls a screenshot from an online forum accusing Chi Phi of gang rape, to which Ingalls replied, "Ridiculous. I'm gonna report that."

Further Communication and Police Report

On October 28, Jane Doe and Ingalls spoke on the phone, with Ingalls reportedly apologizing. A roommate recalled Doe asking, "How could you let this happen?" In a message obtained by NBC News, Doe wrote, "While we're all obviously denying what happened to anyone who asks, I hope that we can joke about all this (in private obv) later down the line."

By October 31, Jane Doe had been disinvited from the fraternity's Halloween party. She texted Ingalls, "I knew this was going to happen. The woman will always get the short end of the stick. Y'all aren't my friends. Y'all are covering your asses."

On November 3, Jane Doe texted Newell, asserting, "Let's be clear that 90% of what happened that night was not consensual. I was given more key than I can remember, and I know that I told u I felt uncomfortable and I didn't know anyone in the room."

Jane Doe went to an emergency room on November 7 to request a rape kit. She called Ingalls and recorded their conversation, stating, "If I just know what happened, then I can feel a little bit better and move on and maybe be able to stay at this school." Ingalls responded by insisting, "You did tell me you were sober, by the way," and "You did, you said you hadn't been anywhere." Jane Doe countered, "That is not true. I never would have said that." She also stated, "What y'all did would be classified as gang rape."

Ingalls, in the recorded call, described how Jane Doe initiated a threesome with him and another man, who was then invited upstairs. He said more fraternity brothers joined them periodically. Jane Doe filed a police report the following day, November 8.

Fraternity Suspension and University Investigation

On November 8, the accused fraternity members learned of the fraternity's suspension following Jane Doe's police report. In a group chat, an unidentified member texted, "F**k." The fraternity president advised waiting to figure out their next steps and to see if Doe would speak further.

Despite the prosecutor's initial decision not to pursue charges, Cornell launched a Title IX investigation. In February 2025, emails obtained by NBC News showed one brother coordinating with another to "construct my timeline and to confirm what had taken place" after a campus crime alert was issued. He also stated he did not witness drug consumption or sexual activity during the brief time he claimed to be in the room.

Ultimately, Cornell expelled Matthew Ingalls and Jonathan Newell. Winston Lee received a two-year suspension, Gillio Lopes a three-semester suspension, and Diego Sarabia had already graduated. Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris were found not responsible by the university.

Ingalls's Counter-Allegations

During the school's investigation, Matthew Ingalls claimed he was the victim of sexual assault. He told Cornell staff in a February 2025 email that "At times that she attempted to have sexual activity with me, I was so incapacitated that she was unsuccessful in arousing me." This claim contrasts with Jane Doe's account, where she stated she remembered looking up and seeing "too many people" in the bed with four men present and others around them. Ingalls also suggested it was possible "both of us, like, remember this and it's not true."