The Ithaca Police Department confirmed on Monday, September 28, 2026, that it never received a law enforcement report concerning an alleged October 2024 gang rape involving members of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity.
Local authorities addressed the matter following a civil complaint filed on September 14, 2026, by a former student identified anonymously as Jane Doe. The civil filing mistakenly stated that the Ithaca Police Department was currently conducting an ongoing criminal investigation into the sexual assault claims.
“The Ithaca Police Department was disturbed to hear about the allegations related to the sexual assault of a Cornell Student during October of 2024,” the department said in an official statement addressing the public concern and the confusion caused by the civil filing.
Clarification on the Civil Complaint and Police Involvement
The discrepancy between the civil court filing and the actual status of law enforcement involvement came to light as investigators reviewed records following the September 14 lawsuit. According to the Ithaca Police Department, no formal report, complaint, or call for service was logged regarding the alleged incident at the Chi Phi fraternity house during the timeframe outlined by the plaintiff.
Authorities emphasized that while the allegations contained within the civil complaint are severe, the department cannot investigate an incident that has not been officially reported. Police officials urged anyone with information regarding sexual assaults or campus crimes to come forward directly to law enforcement agencies so formal investigations can begin.
Cornell University and Fraternity Response
The allegations center around members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University, an Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York. University officials and representatives for the fraternity have faced increased scrutiny following the public disclosure of the civil lawsuit.
Campus safety advocates and student organizations have used the incident to demand greater transparency and accountability regarding sexual violence reporting procedures across Greek life organizations. Meanwhile, legal representatives for the plaintiff continue to navigate the civil litigation process, which operates independently of criminal proceedings.
Key Details of the Situation
- Date of Alleged Incident: October 2024
- Civil Complaint Filed: September 14, 2026
- Police Clarification Date: September 28, 2026
- Involved Entities: Ithaca Police Department, Cornell University, Chi Phi fraternity
- Plaintiff Identifier: Jane Doe (former student)
The examination of the broader administrative and legal implications of the civil complaint remains ongoing, even as local police maintain that no prior criminal report was ever filed with their agency.
