Man Accused in Cornell Rape Case Said Frat Brothers’ Approach Was ‘Just Deny’: Transcript

An unsettling case has emerged from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, involving serious allegations against the Chi Phi fraternity. A former student has filed a civil complaint claiming that she was drugged and subsequently raped by seven men during the early hours of October 20, 2024. The alleged attack is said to have begun on the evening of October 19 and continued until approximately 5:45 a.m. the following day.

The young woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, has accused members of the fraternity of orchestrating a cover-up following the incident. Documentation from a Title IX investigation, as obtained by CBS News New York, indicates that one of the accused allegedly suggested that fraternity members would deny any allegations made against them. This same individual is reported to have contacted a sorority member the day after the event, asking her to advise a friend not to discuss her impressions of the events that transpired at the fraternity house.

In 2025, Cornell University launched an investigation into the allegations through its Office of Civil Rights, alongside its Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. This inquiry adhered to university policies and Title IX regulations. As part of the investigation, a hearing panel comprising trained faculty and staff reviewed evidence over an extended period, allowing both Doe and the accused to testify and present their cases. The university concluded the process by imposing sanctions, which included expulsions and suspensions for some individuals involved.

The Title IX records reveal a series of interviews with Doe, six of the seven accused men, as well as approximately 20 witnesses. Notably, one student present at the fraternity house on the night in question reported receiving an unsettling call from one of the accused. The male student expressed concern about ensuring that relevant discussions surrounding that night remained confidential, which has raised eyebrows in light of the allegations.

Weeks later, after Cornell sent out a campus-wide alert regarding the incident, the sorority member’s friend recounted that the earlier comments from the accused man now seemed far more concerning in retrospect. They reported these remarks to campus authorities, although accounts detailing the call were reportedly absent from the extensive Title IX documents reviewed by CBS News.

In the Title IX records, the accused initially denied asking the sorority member to keep quiet. However, under follow-up questioning about a month later, he altered his statement to confirm that he had indeed mentioned avoiding any discussion of “rumours” related to the night in question. Friends of the accused recounted that they were simply attempting to disassociate themselves from any allegations circulating on campus.

Despite the seriousness of the claims, no criminal charges were filed in 2024. Nonetheless, in light of renewed public interest surrounding the lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has indicated he will reopen the case. Following criticism of how the initial investigation was handled, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order appointing Attorney General Letitia James to oversee the investigation moving forward.

The Chi Phi fraternity’s Xi chapter was shut down in 2024, and it remains barred from the university campus to this day. Responses from three of the fraternity members, conveyed through their legal representatives, categorically deny the allegations posed against them.

The troubling allegations come amidst broader concerns surrounding campus safety and sexual misconduct. According to a Cornell survey conducted in 2025, a significant portion of undergraduate women—35%—reported experiencing non-consensual sexual contact. This statistic marks a concerning increase from 23% in the previous year, highlighting ongoing issues within university environments.

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust support systems for students and comprehensive measures to address and prevent sexual violence on campuses. For anyone who has experienced sexual assault, confidential help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.