Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat representing New York, presented a significantly more expansive description of a sexual assault incident at Cornell University than what is detailed in the related civil complaint. Her remarks also included claims that the university has contested.
During a town hall event hosted by More Perfect University on Sunday in Ithaca, New York, Ocasio-Cortez addressed allegations outlined in a civil lawsuit filed last month. The complaint was brought by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members in October 2024.
"Seven men drugged and gang raped a 20-year-old woman," Ocasio-Cortez stated.
She continued, "They lured her in to a fraternity house. They drugged her with ketamine. They then posted to a group chat that she was incapacitated, and seven men took turns gang raping her for seven hours."
Ocasio-Cortez added, "Their fraternity knew. This was reported to Cornell University. And after looking into this matter, they expelled two of them and made the rest write essays as their form of punishment. I want to be clear that the culture of rape, sexual assault, and pedophilia is protected in elite institutions across the United States and including Cornell University in this instance. It has got to stop."
University Disputes Disciplinary Characterization
Cornell University has challenged Ocasio-Cortez's depiction of the disciplinary measures taken, asserting that both expulsions and suspensions were issued. The university also clarified that no individual respondent was required to submit an essay as their sole form of punishment. However, the civil complaint itself states that several students who received temporary suspensions were offered an opportunity to mitigate their conduct by submitting essays to the university.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments coincide with the ongoing civil lawsuit filed by Doe, which contains graphic allegations concerning events that reportedly occurred inside the Chi Phi fraternity house almost two years ago.
Details from the Civil Complaint
The 101-page civil complaint names Cornell University, various fraternity-related entities, seven individual defendants, and other parties. It alleges that Doe was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members after being given alcohol and drugs.
According to the complaint, Doe arrived at the fraternity house already intoxicated, was subsequently pressured into taking ketamine, and was then subjected to sexual acts without her consent. The complaint further alleges that one fraternity member posted a sexually explicit message about her in a fraternity Snapchat group. The incident, as per the complaint, concluded around 5:45 a.m.
District Attorney Reopens Investigation
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten disclosed that his office reviewed Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 and initially determined that the facts presented did not warrant criminal charges under New York law.
Van Houten noted that Doe's November 2024 sworn statement "did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped." He also indicated that the statement characterized her involvement in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual."
However, Van Houten confirmed that his office has since reopened an investigation into the allegations and will reconsider the decision regarding whether to pursue criminal charges against the seven fraternity members. He stated that a senior prosecutor, experienced in sex-crime cases, is currently preparing the matter for presentation to a Tompkins County grand jury. This grand jury could potentially consider Doe's testimony and new evidence brought forth by the civil complaint.
Scott Kretzschmar, an attorney representing one of the accused students, stated that his client welcomes the renewed investigation. Kretzschmar vehemently denied the allegations against his client, asserting that his client had no sexual contact with Doe. Attorneys for several other accused fraternity members have also denied any wrongdoing. As of now, no criminal charges have been announced in connection with these allegations.
Cornell's Actions and Statement
Cornell University has expressed its support for the reopened investigation. The university stated that its own months-long investigation into the matter resulted in a range of sanctions, including both expulsions and suspensions. Additionally, the Chi Phi chapter was closed and prohibited from operating on campus.
"Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false," the university asserted. "A continuation of the false narrative that there were minimal consequences in this case is irresponsible, will make survivors feel less safe and supported, and will perpetuate the underreporting of sexual assault."
In a related development, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday that she has appointed Attorney General Letitia James to serve as a special prosecutor in the case.