A woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Cornell University and seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging she was gang-raped by the fraternity members in October 2024. The lawsuit, filed in the New York Supreme Court on September 16, names the Chi Phi fraternity, seven fraternity members, Cornell University, Tri Delta Sorority, Alpha Beta House Corporation, and Moonies Bar & Nightclub.
The complaint alleges that the incident occurred during a party hosted by the Tri Delta Sorority at a nightclub in Ithaca, New York, on October 19, 2024. The former student claims she consumed alcohol at the sorority house before moving on to the nightclub. After the event, she visited the Chi Phi fraternity house at 103 Edgemoor Lane to meet her friend, Matthew Ingalls, one of the accused.
According to the allegations, Ingalls and another fraternity member pressured her into snorting a substance they claimed was ketamine. Following this, she alleges the two men raped her. The situation escalated when Jonathan Newell, another fraternity member, reportedly sent a Snapchat message to the "Chi Phi Actives," stating there was “free p*ssy” upstairs in the fraternity house. This prompted more men to join in the assault, according to the plaintiff, who claims she was raped for several hours and left unconscious until around 5:45 a.m.
After regaining consciousness the next morning, the woman returned to her sorority house and discovered bruising. She reported the assault to Cornell University Police on November 8, 2024, following encouragement from friends.
The woman’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, stated that only two of the accused men were expelled from Cornell after the university's investigation. The others faced lighter consequences, including suspensions or required workshops. “Not one of these guys was arrested,” Giuffra said. “There were so many people that could have prevented it and they didn’t. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Following the incident, the woman withdrew from Cornell. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges, a decision that has drawn criticism from advocates for survivors of sexual assault.
Cornell University issued a statement on September 21, confirming that the Chi Phi fraternity is banned from campus. The university emphasized that it conducted a thorough investigation through the Office of Civil Rights and the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. “Violations of university policies could lead to sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion,” the statement read.
The university also mentioned that it had launched a Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault in response to the allegations. “Anyone who has experienced or is aware of sexual misconduct on our campus can report it to the Cornell Office of Civil Rights via their online reporting tool,” the statement added, highlighting the resources available for individuals seeking support.
The woman is seeking compensation from Cornell University, the seven fraternity members, and others named in the complaint, including punitive damages aimed at deterring similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The details of this case have sparked discussions about fraternity culture and the handling of sexual assault allegations on college campuses. The lawsuit amplifies ongoing concerns regarding accountability and the protections afforded to survivors.
According to TheShadeRoom.
