Cornell University gang-rape: Student alleges 7 frat members raped her; only 2 were expelled, others wrote essays as new Snapchat chat emerges

Cornell University rape case: New York state prosecutors have reopened a criminal inquiry into the alleged rape of a woman at Cornell University in 2024. A former Cornell University student has filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging that seven fraternity members drugged and sexually assaulted her in October 2024.

Former Cornell University drugged, gang-raped

The student, identified as Jane Doe in court documents, alleged in the lawsuit filed on Wednesday, September 16 in the New York Supreme Court, that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a frat house in Ithaca by seven members of Chi Phi fraternity, reports PEOPLE. The victim, who was 20 when the alleged incident happened, claimed she was intoxicated after drinking at her sorority and a nightclub before she went alone to visit a friend at the frat house late on October 19, 2024, the complaint stated. The lawsuit alleged that she was given drugs by two frat brothers before they sexually assaulted her, according to the complaint.

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Only two attackers expelled, claims victim

Jane Doe's attorney Thomas Giuffra claimed only two of the seven alleged attackers were expelled. The other fraternity members received lesser punishments such as submitting essays, according to CBS News. None of the members were arrested, Giuffra said. Doe said she left the university after the alleged assault.

However, according to the woman's attorney, none of the fraternity members were arrested.

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Video of frat's group Snapchat emerges

A video of the fraternity's group Snapchat conversation from the night a former Cornell student alleged she was drugged and raped inside the Chi Phi fraternity house has emerged. The filing highlights that one of the men sent a message to a Snapchat group chat called “Chi Phi Actives,” saying there was “free p----” upstairs.” According to CBC News, at around 1:42 a.m. on the date of the alleged rape, a message was sent to the group chat suggesting a woman was available for sex. "Shop still open?" one fraternity brother wrote later. The response was "Yea."

More men took part in the rape

According to the lawsuit, Doe had already consumed about 10 standard drinks within the past 3 hours when she arrived at the fraternity house. The complaint alleged the friend and another fraternity member gave her more alcohol and pressured her into snorting a substance they described as ketamine, and that she was then sexually assaulted while “incapable of consent.”

After the chat, more men took part in the alleged rape, which according to the complaint, continued until around 5:45 a.m. The alleged victim reported the rapes to the university’s police department about three weeks later, per the complaint. The complainant alleged they pressured Doe into taking more ketamine and subjected her to an hours-long assault that continued until approximately 5:45 a.m.

Cornell University's response to rape allegations

In a November 2024 statement, Cornell University acknowledged the “investigations into the serious and deeply disturbing allegations of drug abuse and sexual violence at the Chi Phi fraternity house,” calling the alleged behavior “abhorrent.” [It] cannot be tolerated within our community,” the statement read at the time.

The Cornell university released another statement days later on Sept 21 after the lawsuit was filed, saying it “is aware of a lawsuit concerning the deeply disturbing allegations of sexual assault involving members of the student community that occurred in 2024.”

The university said its Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards “investigated and adjudicated the allegations consistent with university policies. The Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity remains barred from our campus.”

“Federal privacy law prohibits Cornell from disclosing specific information regarding individual students and we therefore are unable to make a public statement on any other disciplinary response,” the statement reads. “Violations of university policies could lead to sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion. We will respond in detail through the legal process.”

Chi Phi national headquarters calls it "concerning"

The Chi Phi national headquarters told CBS News that the allegations of sexual assault were “deeply concerning.”

“Chi Phi unequivocally condemns sexual violence. Our founding principles of Truth, Honor, and Personal Integrity, and our mission of Building Better Men, call on every brother to demonstrate character through his actions and respect for the dignity and safety of others. Sexual violence is fundamentally incompatible with those expectations.

“We are aware of the lawsuit concerning an alleged incident in 2024,” it continued. “While we cannot discuss the specific allegations during pending litigation, we take this matter seriously. Our responsibility is to approach this with care for those affected and respect for a fair legal process.”