ITHACA, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 3: A view of one of the entrances to the Cornell University campus on November 3, 2023 in Ithaca, New York. The university canceled classes after one of its students is accused of making violent antisemitic threats. (Photo by Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON: Prosecutors in New York have reopened an investigation into an alleged rape case connected to Cornell University that reportedly took place in 2024.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten confirmed that his office is once again reviewing the matter and has begun pursuing possible criminal charges related to the allegations, according to reports.
In a statement, Van Houten said the district attorney’s office could not have considered claims made in a recent civil lawsuit when it reached its earlier decision in November 2024 because the lawsuit had not yet been filed at that time.
He also noted that survivors of sexual assault often require significant time to process their experiences and fully understand what happened to them, adding that recovery and healing can take years.
The renewed attention comes after a former Cornell student, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month. In the complaint, she alleges that she was pressured into taking ketamine and was subjected to sexual abuse over several hours at a fraternity house near the university.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and no final legal determination has been made regarding the claims.
The lawsuit further alleges that a woman described as a “house mother” at the sorority where the student lived witnessed her in an intoxicated condition and later took her to a bar. These claims are also part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
In response to the latest developments, Cornell University said it supports the district attorney’s decision to revisit the case.
The university also rejected suggestions that individuals allegedly connected to the incident were not disciplined.
In its statement, Cornell said any claim that the university failed to impose meaningful consequences on those involved is inaccurate. The institution argued that portraying the case as one with minimal accountability could discourage survivors from coming forward and may undermine efforts to create a safer environment for reporting sexual assault.
The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not yet announced whether formal criminal charges will be filed.
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