Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Discusses Cornell University Sexual Assault Allegations

<p>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., provided a detailed account of a sexual assault case involving Cornell University during a town hall meeting on Sunday in Ithaca, New York. The case is related to a civil complaint filed by a former Cornell student, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members in October 2024.</p><p>Ocasio-Cortez stated, "Seven men drugged and gang raped a 20-year-old woman." She described the incident, claiming that the men lured her to a fraternity house, drugged her with ketamine, and shared in a group chat that she was incapacitated while they took turns assaulting her for seven hours.</p><p>She further claimed that the fraternity was aware of the situation and that Cornell University took insufficient disciplinary action, expelling two individuals and requiring others to write essays as punishment. Ocasio-Cortez asserted, "The culture of rape, sexual assault, and pedophilia is protected in elite institutions across the United States and including Cornell University in this instance. It has got to stop."</p><p>Cornell University disputed Ocasio-Cortez's characterization of the disciplinary measures, stating that expulsions and suspensions were issued, and that no respondent was solely required to write an essay as a consequence. The civil complaint alleges that some students who received temporary suspensions were given the option to submit essays to mitigate their conduct.</p><p>The civil lawsuit filed by Doe includes graphic allegations regarding the events that took place at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The complaint claims that Doe was intoxicated upon arrival, pressured into taking ketamine, and subjected to sexual acts without her consent. It also alleges that a fraternity member posted a sexually explicit message about her in a fraternity Snapchat group.</p><p>The incident reportedly concluded at around 5:45 a.m. Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten indicated that his office reviewed Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 and initially determined that the facts did not support criminal charges under New York law. He noted that the statement did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped, and described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as "voluntary, conscious, and consensual."</p><p>Van Houten mentioned that the investigation into the allegations has been reopened, and a senior prosecutor experienced in sex-crime cases is preparing the matter for presentation to a Tompkins County grand jury, which may consider Doe's testimony and new evidence from the civil complaint.</p><p>Scott Kretzschmar, an attorney for one of the accused students, expressed that his client welcomes the renewed investigation and strongly denied the allegations, asserting that his client had no sexual contact with Doe. Other attorneys representing accused fraternity members have also denied wrongdoing. No criminal charges have been announced in connection with the allegations.</p><p>Cornell University stated that it supports the reopened investigation and emphasized that its own investigation resulted in various sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions, and that the Chi Phi chapter was closed and barred from campus. The university remarked, "Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false," and criticized the narrative suggesting minimal consequences as irresponsible.</p><p>New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the case. Fox News Digital has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office and Cornell University for further comment.</p>