Cornell University is refusing to release a six-page report from its investigation into an alleged gang rape at a fraternity party in 2024, a decision that has reignited scrutiny of the university's handling of sexual assault cases.
A university spokesperson told NewsNation that Cornell University Police had shared a lengthy investigation report with the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, and directed any questions about the report to the DA. The spokesperson did not explain why the report was not being made public.
The case gained national attention after the accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. She alleges she was drugged with ketamine at a party and raped by multiple men. A transcript of her interview with campus police, obtained by CBS News, reportedly shows her saying she was “100% certain” she was raped.
The Tompkins County District Attorney's Office initially declined to pursue charges, but has since reopened the case. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office did not move forward because the initial sworn statement provided by Cornell did not include elements that would support criminal charges, noting that the allegations in the lawsuit are “dramatically different.”
Van Houten told CBS News that his office was not given the transcript of the victim's interview with police, and he would be following up on it. He also acknowledged that Snapchat messages from fraternity members, which were not provided to the DA's office at the time, could play a key role in the reopened investigation.
The decision to withhold the report has drawn sharp criticism from state and federal lawmakers. Governor Kathy Hochul has demanded an outside probe of Cornell's handling of the case, while Senator Chuck Schumer has called for an independent review. Representative Elissa Slotkin has also criticized the university for what she calls “delayed accountability.”
The case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over how universities handle sexual assault allegations, particularly when they involve Greek life. Snapchat messages are now central to the investigation, and a grand jury could be convened to hear evidence.
Cornell's refusal to release the report has only intensified questions about transparency. The university has not responded to requests for comment beyond its initial statement directing inquiries to the DA's office.
As the DA reopens the case, the accuser's attorney has expressed hope that the new investigation will yield charges. Meanwhile, the fraternity members named in the lawsuit have not publicly commented.
The outcome of the reopened investigation could have significant implications for how similar cases are handled by both universities and local prosecutors, especially in an election year when campus safety and accountability are under the microscope.
