Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on Monday, September 28, 2026, that his office is reopening a criminal investigation into allegations of a 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University. The decision follows a civil lawsuit filed earlier in the month by a former student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity drugged and assaulted her for several hours in October 2024. Van Houten stated the case will be presented to a grand jury once investigators determine appropriate charges.
The original investigation in November 2024 did not lead to criminal charges. Van Houten said the allegations in the new civil complaint are "dramatically different" from the sworn statement Doe provided to campus police two years ago. According to a summary released by the District Attorney, the 2024 statement described the sexual activity and drug use as consensual and voluntary. Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, disputed this characterization, stating that investigators never properly followed up with his client and that she was not interviewed by anyone trained in working with survivors.
Cornell University conducted its own Title IX investigation over several months following the 2024 report. The university reported that a hearing panel consisting of faculty and staff issued sanctions including expulsions and suspensions, though it did not specify which individuals were punished. The Xi chapter of Chi Phi was barred from campus in 2024. While the civil lawsuit alleges some fraternity members were only required to write essays, Cornell officials denied this, stating that no student received an essay as a sole consequence for their involvement.
Attorneys for the accused fraternity members have denied the allegations. Jeremy Saland, representing Scott Kretzschmar, stated that his client did not touch the plaintiff and a hair follicle test showed no ketamine in his system. Andrew Miltenberg, representing Gillio Lopes, said his client unequivocally denies the claims. Another defendant, Scott Norris, admitted to sending a message but denied participating in drug use or sexual activity, noting he was not found responsible for those actions during the university's internal hearing.
Van Houten acknowledged his office previously relied on campus police reports without independent investigation. The next steps involve a senior prosecutor assigned to the case preparing evidence for the Tompkins County Grand Jury. No specific date for the grand jury presentation has been reported, but the District Attorney stated the office is currently speaking with Doe and her attorneys to determine the path forward.