Recent litigation has brought renewed attention to accusations that a Cornell University student was sexually assaulted by several men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The lawsuit, filed last month against seven fraternity members, the university and others, prompted Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to reopen the criminal investigation.
Allegations and police statements
The victim told campus police that she initially consented to a sexual encounter with two men but later became uncomfortable as additional men entered the room. She described feeling “completely and totally incapacitated” and said at least one of the men struck her during an assault that lasted several hours. In a transcript obtained by CBS News, she stated, “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.”
University actions
When the report was made in 2024, Cornell immediately suspended the Chi Phi chapter, barring it from campus, and placed several students on suspension. The school launched its own investigation, conducting 50 interviews with 32 witnesses and holding 12 days of hearings. An investigative panel produced a 99‑page report, leading to expulsions and suspensions, though the university has not disclosed exact numbers, citing federal privacy laws.
Cornell also created a task force on campus sexual assault, issuing recommendations earlier this year. Some have been implemented, while others remain in development.
Prosecutorial decision
District Attorney Van Houten confirmed he chose not to prosecute, relying on a statement prepared by campus police and signed by the victim. He said he never received a full transcript of the interviews and that the statement omitted the victim’s certainty of being assaulted and any allegation of being drugged against her will. Consequently, he concluded there was no criminal case. Van Houten noted that neither the victim nor her attorney contacted him to reconsider the decision.
State involvement
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state attorney general will serve as a special prosecutor to take over the probe, signaling heightened state interest in the matter.
While the investigation continues, the facts show that Cornell acted promptly to suspend the fraternity and conduct a thorough inquiry, whereas the district attorney’s office relied on a limited police summary in deciding not to file charges.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
