Lawyer Denies Rape Claims in Cornell Fraternity Case, Calls Lawsuit a 'Money Grab'

The attorney for a former Cornell University fraternity member accused of gang-raping a student has dismissed the allegations as a "money grab" and asserted his client's involvement was limited to an "immature comment" made on Snapchat. Jeremy Saland, representing Scott Kretzschmar, stated Sunday that the plaintiff "can peddle any story she wants, but intentionally victimizing an innocent person for a money grab is reprehensible."

Kretzschmar, along with six other members of the Chi Phi fraternity, is named in a lawsuit alleging that a 20-year-old female student was drugged with ketamine and alcohol in October 2024 before being subjected to a hours-long assault. The lawsuit claims the accused fraternity brothers took turns participating in the attack, with messages in a group chat allegedly referencing "free p--sy."

Saland maintained that Kretzschmar "did not see her in duress or undress, was involved in no sexual activity nor touched the plaintiff in any way and ingested no ketamine." He further stated Kretzschmar entered the room after others had been involved, did not touch the plaintiff, and only participated in pouring ketamine on her body for her to snort. Kretzschmar's text messages to the group chat, according to the lawsuit, included statements like "diego went 7 min ago and is not afk sooooo" and "the alumni shit is not a bit. first person pov not a bit."

The accuser reported the incident to Cornell University a week later. The university's response, according to the lawsuit, involved suspending the accused students and allowing them to "mitigate their conduct by submitting essays." The university stated on Monday that some students were expelled, and the accuser's lawyer indicated two fraternity brothers were removed from the school. The Cornell Chi Phi chapter was subsequently shuttered.

No charges were filed against the students following an initial police investigation and review by the local district attorney's office. However, the district attorney announced last week that the probe is being reopened, citing new accusations contained within the civil lawsuit.

Saland criticized the lawsuit, calling it "not only intentionally dishonest but morally repugnant," and stated he "welcomes any further investigation by the District Attorney who already determined not to bring charges." He added that the district attorney's initial findings indicated the plaintiff admitted to voluntarily consuming alcohol and drugs and did not state she was helpless, unconscious, or incapacitated at any time in the fraternity house.

The woman filed the lawsuit earlier this month against the seven fraternity members and Cornell University.

If you or someone you know is affected by issues of sexual assault, you can contact the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE.