US News

New York prosecutor reopens probe into alleged Cornell fraternity assault

A district attorney plans to present the case to a grand jury following a civil lawsuit, ABC News reports.

Updated Sep 28, 2026 · 02:10 UTC1 reports

The short version

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced his office is reopening an inquiry into an alleged 2024 assault at a Cornell University fraternity.[ABC News]
The decision follows a civil lawsuit filed by a former student alleging seven Chi Phi members drugged and sexually assaulted her.[ABC News]
Van Houten intends to present the case to a grand jury if the accuser cooperates.[ABC News]
Prosecutors and the woman's attorney dispute whether critical evidence, including fraternity group chat messages, was properly shared and reviewed in 2024.[ABC News]

The Tompkins County district attorney reopened the criminal investigation into an alleged 2024 assault at Cornell University's Chi Phi chapter.[ABC News]
A civil complaint recently filed by a former student alleges she was drugged and assaulted by seven fraternity members.[ABC News]
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated he plans to present the matter to a grand jury with the accuser's cooperation.[ABC News]
The accuser's lawyer asserted that fraternity group chat messages were turned over to campus police in 2024, but prosecutors stated those records never reached their office.[ABC News]
Cornell University previously barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus following the 2024 incident.[ABC News]

Whether criminal charges will be brought depends on grand jury evaluation and the accuser's cooperation.[ABC News]
The district attorney and the plaintiff's attorney dispute what was communicated in the woman's initial 2024 police statement regarding consent and drugging.[ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.