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Image: Chi Phi coat of arms, via ChiPhi.org. Fair use.
Prosecutors in Tompkins County, New York, are taking another look at an alleged sexual assault involving members of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity after a civil lawsuit brought renewed attention to the case, ABC News 4 reported.
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office plans to present the matter to a grand jury with the cooperation of the former student identified in court records as Jane Doe.
The move marks a significant development in a case that previously ended without criminal charges.
Prosecutors Say New Review Will Examine Additional Evidence
Van Houten said the allegations described in the civil lawsuit differ substantially from the account Doe gave police in 2024.
His office now plans to determine whether newly available evidence could support criminal charges.
A grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence. Instead, it considers whether prosecutors have enough evidence to bring charges and move a criminal case forward.
The district attorney’s office had previously reviewed the police investigation and concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges.
Civil Lawsuit Alleges Drugging and Group Sexual Assault
Doe has separately sued Cornell University, seven former Chi Phi fraternity members and others.
The lawsuit alleges that she went to the fraternity house in October 2024 while intoxicated and was encouraged by two fraternity members to take a substance described as ketamine.
She alleges that she was then sexually assaulted and that additional men later arrived after a message was posted in a fraternity Snapchat group.
According to the complaint, the assaults continued for several hours.
Doe reported the alleged assault to Cornell police about three weeks later.
Survivors may have legal options when an institution failed to prevent abuse, respond to warning signs or protect students after a report.
Learn more about New York sexual abuse claims and survivor rights.
Cornell Says University Disciplinary Process Was Completed
Cornell has said its Office of Civil Rights and student conduct office investigated the allegations through university procedures.
According to reporting on the case, two of the accused fraternity members were expelled and others received disciplinary measures.
Doe later left Cornell.
The university has said the Chi Phi Xi chapter remains barred from campus and that Cornell formed a sexual-assault task force and implemented changes after the investigation.
Chi Phi’s national organization has said it condemns sexual violence and cannot comment on the specific allegations while litigation is pending.
Reopened Criminal Review Adds New Pressure
The renewed investigation does not change the status of the civil lawsuit, but it adds a separate criminal track to a case already raising questions about fraternity culture, university oversight and how sexual assault reports are handled.
The grand jury review could ultimately determine whether any of the accused men will face criminal charges.
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Cornell Greek Life Sexual Assault Lawsuit Alleges Drugging, Gang Rape at Chi Phi Fraternity
