Prosecutors Reopen 2024 Cornell Fraternity Rape Case as New York Governor Orders Independent Review of University’s Response

ITHACA, New York – Prosecutors in New York have reopened a criminal investigation into an alleged 2024 gang rape involving Cornell University students. Governor Kathy Hochul has also called for an independent review of how the university handled the case.

On Monday, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said in a nine-page statement that his office is re-examining the allegations. He said the case will go to a grand jury once his office decides on appropriate charges. He has assigned a senior prosecutor experienced in sex crimes to lead the preparations.

The case returned to public attention after the former student, identified in court papers only as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York earlier this month. The suit names seven men, the university, her sorority and the fraternity. She alleges that during a party at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024, she was given alcohol and pressured to take ketamine, and that several men then sexually assaulted her over more than four hours.

The woman reported the incident to Cornell’s campus police at the time, but the district attorney’s office did not bring charges. In his statement, Van Houten acknowledged that his office had relied on the Cornell University Police Department and had not carried out its own independent investigation. He said the civil complaint contains evidence that was not in the original police report. He also said his office has received many calls from members of the public asking why the case was never fully pursued.

On Tuesday, Governor Hochul said she supported the district attorney’s decision and called the allegations “nothing short of horrifying.” She called for outside counsel to conduct a transparent, independent review of the university’s response. The review would assess whether Cornell met its obligations to protect its students and pursue justice.

Pressure has also come from local officials. Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo has paused permits for Cornell student events until the university explains its protocols for handling sexual violence.

Cornell said it welcomes the renewed criminal inquiry but defended its earlier handling of the matter. Kyle Kimball, the university’s vice president for university relations, said the school carried out a thorough Title IX investigation lasting several months. That investigation resulted in disciplinary measures, including suspensions and expulsions. The university said it has since taken further steps to address sexual assault on campus. However, reports indicate that at least some of the accused students were allowed to continue their studies after the alleged assault.

The case has sparked intense debate on social media and renewed national attention on sexual violence at American colleges and universities. No criminal charges have been filed so far.