What happened at Cornell in 2024? Alleged ‘gang rape’ case explained as DA reopens probe; Florence Pugh, Gad speak out
Cornell’s 2024 assault allegations: what is known
Bharatmorning.com – What happened at Cornell in 2024 has returned to public attention after a former student filed a civil lawsuit over allegations involving the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York. The claims have not been proven in criminal or civil court, and the named defendants have the right to challenge them.
What the civil lawsuit alleges
The lawsuit was filed on September 14, 2026, by a woman identified as Jane Doe. According to the complaint, she was 20 years old and a Cornell student when the alleged incident occurred on October 19, 2024.
Jane Doe alleges that she had been drinking before arriving at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The filing claims that fraternity members encouraged her to take a substance described as ketamine and that she was subsequently sexually assaulted.
The complaint also refers to a Snapchat group chat allegedly involving Chi Phi members. It alleges that messages encouraged fraternity members to come upstairs while the woman was in the house and that several men entered the room over a period of hours.
The civil action names Matthew Ingalls, Johnathan Newell, Winston Lee, Gillio Lopes, Diego Sarabia, Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar, along with Cornell University, organizations associated with Chi Phi, sorority organizations and other parties.
Why prosecutors are reviewing the case again
The lawsuit says the alleged assault was reported to Cornell University Police in November 2024, but no criminal charges were brought at the time. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has said his office is reassessing the allegations following the civil filing.
Prosecutors plan to present the matter to a grand jury with Jane Doe’s cooperation and evaluate whether new evidence affects the earlier decision. A grand jury review is not a finding of guilt; it is a step used to decide whether there is sufficient basis for criminal charges.
Van Houten said the new lawsuit contained allegations that were “dramatically different” from the initial statement reviewed by authorities. He said the woman had not previously told police that she was unknowingly drugged or forced into sexual activity.
Jane Doe’s attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, disputes that characterization. He has said officials failed to adequately follow up with his client and maintained that the group-chat material described in the complaint had been given to authorities in 2024.
Cornell, Chi Phi and the defendants’ responses
Cornell has said it takes allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously. The university stated that its Office of Civil Rights and Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigated and adjudicated the matter through campus procedures.
Federal privacy rules limit what Cornell can disclose about individual student discipline. The university has confirmed that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains barred from campus.
What happened at Cornell in 2024 involves separate campus, civil and criminal processes. University discipline, a civil lawsuit and a criminal prosecution each use different procedures and standards, and one outcome does not automatically determine another.
An attorney for Scott Kretzschmar has denied the allegations and said the alleged incident did not occur. Scott Norris has also denied participating in sexual activity or using drugs, while acknowledging that he sent a message included in the lawsuit.
Public reaction from Florence Pugh and Josh Gad
Florence Pugh responded publicly after reading about the allegations, saying she felt uneasy, sick and anxious. She urged men to speak out against sexual violence and questioned whether institutions are doing enough to protect women.
Pugh later said Instagram blocked her original post, prompting her to republish her statement. Josh Gad also publicly commented on the allegations.
FAQ: What happened at Cornell in 2024?
Have any criminal charges been filed?
No criminal charges had followed the original 2024 report. The Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office is reconsidering the matter and plans to bring it before a grand jury.
Has a court ruled on the allegations?
No. The civil lawsuit remains unresolved, and no final criminal or civil court determination has been made regarding the claims against the defendants.
Is the Chi Phi chapter still recognized by Cornell?
Cornell has confirmed that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains barred from campus.