Cornell University Chi Phi Case: Jane Doe Lawsuit, Reopened Investigation & What We Know Updated September 29, 2026 A 2024 incident involving Cornell University and its Chi Phi fraternity chapter is back in the national spotlight after a former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members. The case has taken a major new turn: Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened the criminal investigation and said prosecutors intend to present the case to a grand jury. The woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe , alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Several people named as defendants in the lawsuit include Diego Sarabia, Matthew Ingalls and Scott Kretzschmar , along with other individuals and organizations. Those allegations have not been established as criminal findings, and the defendants have not all been accused in the same way. Here ...
Cornell University Chi Phi Case: Jane Doe Lawsuit, Reopened Investigation & What We Know
Updated September 29, 2026
A 2024 incident involving Cornell University and its Chi Phi fraternity chapter is back in the national spotlight after a former student filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members.
The case has taken a major new turn: Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has reopened the criminal investigation and said prosecutors intend to present the case to a grand jury.
The woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
Several people named as defendants in the lawsuit include Diego Sarabia, Matthew Ingalls and Scott Kretzschmar, along with other individuals and organizations. Those allegations have not been established as criminal findings, and the defendants have not all been accused in the same way.
Here is what we know about the Cornell University Chi Phi case, why the investigation was reopened, what Cornell says happened, and what comes next.
Cornell University Chi Phi Case: What Happened?
According to the civil lawsuit, Jane Doe was a 20-year-old Cornell student when the alleged incident occurred at the Chi Phi fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, in October 2024.
The lawsuit alleges that she had been drinking and was pressured into consuming drugs before becoming incapacitated and being sexually assaulted by multiple members of the fraternity.
The complaint names seven student defendants and also brings claims against Cornell University, Chi Phi-related organizations, an Ithaca bar and other defendants.
It is important to emphasize that these are allegations contained in a civil complaint, not findings by a court.
The criminal investigation is now being reconsidered by prosecutors.
Why Was the Cornell Investigation Reopened?
This is the biggest development in the story.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office is reopening the criminal investigation after the allegations presented in the civil lawsuit differed substantially from the account authorities had received in 2024.
Prosecutors now intend to present the matter to a grand jury with Jane Doe's cooperation. The purpose is to determine whether additional evidence now available could change the earlier assessment of whether criminal conduct occurred.
The DA has also said his office did not previously have some of the material highlighted in the lawsuit, including a Snapchat group-chat image referenced in the complaint.
Jane Doe's attorney has disputed aspects of the prosecutor's characterization of her original report and argued that investigators did not adequately follow up with her.
That disagreement is now part of the renewed investigation.
What Did Cornell University Say?
Cornell University has said it conducted its own internal disciplinary investigation following the 2024 incident.
According to Cornell, a panel of trained faculty and staff reviewed evidence over multiple days, with the people involved given opportunities to testify and present evidence.
Cornell has also said that expulsions and suspensions were imposed, although the university has not publicly disclosed individual student sanctions because of privacy restrictions.
The university has specifically rejected the claim that writing essays was the sole consequence for those involved.
Cornell has also confirmed that the Xi chapter of Chi Phi remains barred from campus.
The university has said it supports the district attorney's decision to reopen the criminal investigation.
Who Is Jane Doe?
The plaintiff is identified publicly in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, rather than by her real name.
She is a former Cornell student who alleges that she was sexually assaulted during the 2024 incident at the Chi Phi house.
Because she is identified by a pseudonym in the lawsuit, her private identity should not be confused with the publicly named defendants.
Her attorney, Thomas Giuffra, has welcomed the renewed criminal investigation and argued that investigators should thoroughly examine the available evidence.
Who Are Diego Sarabia, Matthew Ingalls and Scott Kretzschmar?
Three names receiving significant search interest in connection with the case are:
Diego Sarabia
Diego Sarabia is one of the individuals named as a defendant in Jane Doe's civil lawsuit.
Cornell-related reporting has identified Sarabia as a former Cornell student/alumnus.
The allegations against him are part of the civil complaint and should not be treated as a criminal conviction or established fact.
Matthew Ingalls
Matthew Ingalls is also named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit.
The Cornell Daily Sun reported that Ingalls was among the individuals identified in the lawsuit and had previously been connected with Cornell's rugby program.
Scott Kretzschmar
Scott Kretzschmar is another person named in the lawsuit.
His attorney has publicly disputed the allegations against him. According to CBS News, the attorney acknowledged that messages attributed to Kretzschmar were inappropriate but denied that Kretzschmar sexually assaulted or touched the plaintiff.
That denial is important because the civil allegations remain contested.
What Does the Lawsuit Allege?
The lawsuit describes a series of events beginning with an evening involving a sorority, a local bar and eventually the Chi Phi house.
The complaint alleges that Jane Doe was pressured into consuming drugs and alcohol and later became incapacitated.
It also references a Snapchat group chat that the plaintiff says is relevant to what happened inside the fraternity house.
The civil complaint brings multiple legal claims, including negligence, breach of contract, New York Human Rights Law claims and sexual-assault-related claims.
Again, these are claims made by the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. A lawsuit itself does not establish that every allegation has been proven.
What Happened in the Original 2024 Criminal Investigation?
According to District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, authorities did not bring criminal charges in 2024 based on the information available to them at that time.
The prosecutor has said Jane Doe's initial sworn statement did not describe the incident in the same terms as the later civil complaint.
Her attorney disputes that characterization and says the investigation failed to adequately follow up with her.
That difference between the 2024 police account and the allegations in the 2026 lawsuit is one of the central issues in the reopened investigation.
What Is the Grand Jury Going to Do?
A grand jury is now expected to consider evidence related to the case.
The district attorney has said prosecutors want to determine whether additional evidence now available could support criminal charges.
That does not mean charges have already been filed or that anyone has been found guilty.
The grand-jury process is part of determining whether the evidence supports criminal prosecution.
The exact timing and outcome of that process remain uncertain.
Cornell University vs Cornell College: Are They the Same?
No.
This is an important distinction because searches for “Cornell” can refer to two completely different institutions.
Cornell University
Cornell University is the Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York.
The Chi Phi case discussed in this article concerns Cornell University and its Ithaca campus.
Cornell College
Cornell College is a separate private liberal arts college located in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
It is not the university involved in the Chi Phi case.
So if you're searching for:
Cornell University
Cornell
Cornell Chi Phi
Cornell fraternity
Cornell University case
you are looking for the New York university discussed in this article.
Where Is Cornell University?
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, in the Finger Lakes region of the state.
Its main campus is in Tompkins County.
The university's location is relevant to this story because the Chi Phi fraternity house involved in the allegations is associated with Cornell's Ithaca campus.
What Is Chi Phi?
Chi Phi is a fraternity with a chapter at Cornell University.
The Cornell chapter involved in the allegations is known as the Xi chapter.
Cornell has confirmed that the Xi chapter remains barred from campus following the 2024 incident.
The national organization and individual defendants have separate legal positions in the ongoing civil litigation.
Cornell's Sexual-Assault Task Force
The current controversy also comes after Cornell spent much of 2025 and 2026 reviewing its broader approach to sexual assault and campus safety.
Cornell established its Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault in February 2025.
The task force released its final recommendations in March 2026, including proposals involving prevention education, communication, reporting resources, physical safety and campus culture.
Cornell's 2025 survey of sexual assault and related misconduct also reported that 35% of undergraduate women surveyed said they had experienced nonconsensual sexual contact during their time at Cornell, compared with 23% in the 2023 survey.
Those broader campus-safety developments are now receiving additional attention as the Chi Phi investigation is reopened.
What Happens Next in the Cornell Chi Phi Case?
There are now several parallel developments to watch.
1. The criminal investigation
The Tompkins County DA's office is reopening the investigation and preparing to present evidence to a grand jury.
2. The civil lawsuit
Jane Doe's lawsuit against Cornell, Chi Phi-related organizations, the named individuals and other defendants continues separately.
3. Cornell's position
The university maintains that it conducted an internal investigation and imposed significant disciplinary consequences.
4. The defendants' responses
The allegations are disputed, and attorneys for at least some of the named defendants have publicly denied wrongdoing.
5. Additional evidence
The reopened investigation may examine evidence referenced in the civil lawsuit that prosecutors say was not part of the original criminal review.
Cornell University Chi Phi Case: Key Facts at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| University | Cornell University |
| Location | Ithaca, New York |
| Fraternity | Chi Phi |
| Chapter | Xi chapter |
| Alleged incident | October 2024 |
| Plaintiff | Jane Doe |
| Civil lawsuit | Filed in September 2026 |
| People named in lawsuit | Seven student defendants |
| Names receiving search interest | Diego Sarabia, Matthew Ingalls, Scott Kretzschmar |
| Criminal investigation | Reopened |
| Prosecutor | Tompkins County DA Matthew Van Houten |
| Next major step | Grand-jury presentation |
| Cornell's position | Says it conducted an internal investigation and imposed sanctions |
| Chi Phi campus status | Xi chapter remains barred from campus |
Cornell Case FAQs
What happened at Cornell Chi Phi?
A former Cornell student identified as Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi fraternity members during an October 2024 incident. The allegations are disputed and remain subject to legal proceedings.
Why was the Cornell case reopened?
Tompkins County prosecutors said the allegations in the 2026 civil lawsuit differed significantly from the information available during the 2024 investigation and that they want to examine whether additional evidence could change the earlier assessment.
Who is Diego Sarabia?
Diego Sarabia is one of the people named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit connected to the Cornell Chi Phi allegations. Being named in the lawsuit does not by itself establish criminal guilt.
Who is Matthew Ingalls?
Matthew Ingalls is another person named as a defendant in the civil complaint. His name has appeared in reporting about the reopened Cornell investigation.
Who is Scott Kretzschmar?
Scott Kretzschmar is one of the named defendants. His attorney has publicly denied that Kretzschmar sexually assaulted or touched the plaintiff.
Where is Cornell University?
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York.
Is Cornell College the same as Cornell University?
No. Cornell College is a separate institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The Chi Phi case discussed here concerns Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
Has anyone been criminally convicted in this case?
The reopened investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury; that is not the same as a criminal conviction.
Bottom Line
The Cornell University Chi Phi case has entered a new phase.
A civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student has brought renewed attention to allegations stemming from 2024. The Tompkins County District Attorney has now reopened the criminal investigation and plans to present the matter to a grand jury.
At the same time, Cornell says it previously conducted its own disciplinary investigation and imposed sanctions, while attorneys for some of the people named in the lawsuit dispute the allegations.
For now, the most important development is the reopened criminal investigation.
The next major turning point will be what prosecutors present to the grand jury—and what happens in the civil lawsuit.
This article will be updated as verified developments emerge. Allegations described above come from court filings or attributed statements and should not be treated as established facts unless proven through the appropriate legal process.
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