Cornell Fraternity Expels Members as DA Reopens Rape Probe

The national Chi Phi fraternity confirmed on September 30, 2026, that its Cornell University chapter voted to permanently expel members accused of an October 2024 gang rape, as New York state prosecutors formally reopen a criminal investigation into the incident. The announcement follows a civil lawsuit filed earlier in September 2026 by the accuser, prompting Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten to present the case against seven suspects to a grand jury for possible indictment.

University officials previously shuttered the local Xi chapter and barred it from campus in 2024 following initial reports. Fraternity leadership publicly announced the disciplinary actions taken against the accused students following an internal review of the allegations and mounting public scrutiny.

“Our records confirm that just three days after ‘Jane Doe’ filed a police report, the Xi chapter voted unanimously to remove the accused members from its rolls,” said Trey Robb, Interim Executive Director of Chi Phi Fraternity.

Robb emphasized the organization’s zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct violations and violence on college campuses. “The chapter also recommended that our national fraternity permanently expel them, and our Grand Council did so at a subsequent meeting,” Robb added.

District Attorney Reopens Criminal Case

The decision to revisit the criminal inquiry marks a major turning point for Tompkins County prosecutors, who initially declined to file charges after receiving an initial police report in November 2024. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated that the civil lawsuit filed in September 2026 contained allegations “dramatically different” from the sworn statement provided by the accuser nearly two years prior.

According to Van Houten, the original statement described the student’s participation in drug use and s*xual contact as voluntary, conscious, and consensual. However, the civil complaint alleges that the student was severely intoxicated, became incapacitated, and was subjected to a multi-hour gang rape inside the Chi Phi fraternity house after being pressured to consume ketamine and alcohol.

Following public outcry and the presentation of new details, including a contested Snapchat group chat message, Van Houten announced he has asked a senior female prosecutor to prepare the case for a grand jury. “Seeking justice sometimes requires us to reconsider or reopen cases when we are provided with additional evidence,” Van Houten said.

Legal Teams Debate Evidence and Timeline

Attorneys representing the accuser, known publicly as Jane Doe, strongly dispute the district attorney’s framing of the initial police interview. Thomas Giuffra, counsel for the plaintiff, argued that his client was in a state of severe trauma and shock when she filed her initial campus police report weeks after the attack and did not receive proper follow-up investigative interviews typical for serious crimes.

Giuffra also asserted that investigators were provided critical evidence in 2024, including screenshots of a Snapchat group chat titled “Chi Phi Actives” that allegedly invited other fraternity members upstairs while the assault was underway. Defense attorneys for the named defendants have denied the allegations. Representatives for accused students, including Scott Kretzschmar and Scott Norris, have maintained their clients’ innocence or argued that they did not participate in any s*xual assault, though some acknowledged posting or being present during the digital communications.

Institutional Response and Campus Fallout

Cornell University officials expressed support for the grand jury proceedings, maintaining that the institution handled the initial reports rigorously through a comprehensive Title IX process. Kyle Kimball, Cornell’s vice president for university relations, noted that a multi-day hearing conducted by trained faculty and staff resulted in severe internal sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions, alongside the permanent closure of the Chi Phi Xi chapter.

Despite university actions, the case has sparked intense fallout across Ithaca, New York. Local leaders, including Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, proposed a moratorium on student events and Greek life gatherings, while state officials and prominent voices called for independent reviews of how elite universities manage campus safety, prevention, and reporting systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggered the reopening of the Cornell fraternity investigation?

The Tompkins County District Attorney reopened the criminal investigation after the accuser filed a civil lawsuit in September 2026 alleging gang rape. Prosecutors stated this lawsuit presented facts dramatically different from her initial November 2024 police statement.

What actions did the Chi Phi fraternity take against the accused members?

The local Xi chapter voted unanimously to remove the accused students from its rolls shortly after the 2024 incident. The national Grand Council subsequently voted for their permanent expulsion following an internal review.

Have any criminal charges been filed against the suspects?

As of late September 2026, no criminal charges have been formally filed. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten referred the case to a grand jury to evaluate potential indictments against the seven named fraternity members.

What does the civil lawsuit allege happened on October 19, 2024?

The lawsuit alleges that the 20-year-old student was visibly intoxicated when she visited the Chi Phi house. There, she was pressured to consume ketamine and alcohol before being s*xually assaulted by multiple fraternity members over several hours.

What was Cornell University’s response to the allegations?

Cornell closed the Chi Phi Xi chapter and permanently barred it from campus in 2024. Following internal Title IX hearings, the university issued disciplinary sanctions including expulsions and suspensions, and later expressed support for the grand jury review.