Cornell University fraternity members accused of sexually assaulting a student allegedly tried to silence a potential witness and protect their reputation, police records show, as protests over the university’s handling of the case continue.
The records state that a woman told police Chi Phi brothers urged her not to speak after a campus-wide alert about a reported rape was issued on November 8, 2024. She said the men warned that “the reputation of all involved and the frat would be ruined”.
The woman also alleged that the fraternity held a meeting to ensure members were “on the same page” and said there were group messages about the incident.
She claimed the brothers described what happened as a “consensual orgy”, but were concerned that it would damage their image.
The allegations have emerged after a lawsuit was filed last month by a student identified only as Jane Doe. She claims she was coerced into taking drugs and sexually assaulted by seven members of Chi Phi at an off-campus house in 2024.
Prosecutors previously concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to bring criminal sexual assault charges. Cornell later opened a Title IX investigation, and the university shut down the fraternity.
Police records detail alleged efforts to control the account
During an interview with police, one fraternity member said the alleged assault had been discussed during a regular chapter meeting.
“We didn’t have a meeting about it specifically,” he said. “It was our weekly chapter meeting. We got through a bunch of stuff.”
Text messages show fraternity leadership contacted Matthew Ingalls after the alert and asked: “When was the last time you spoke to [Jane Doe]?”
Ingalls replied: “Yesterday… what’s the plan of action? Should I call [her]? I don’t think she would have reported this.”
Jane Doe alleges that the night of October 19, 2024 began with underage drinking at several bars before she went to a Chi Phi after-party. She said she initially agreed to have sex with Ingalls and another man, but was then pressured to take ketamine and smoke marijuana as she became heavily intoxicated.
She alleges that other men later joined in while messages were sent to the fraternity’s Snapchat group inviting others upstairs. The lawsuit claims one message referred to “free p***y” and another invited people to “walk in and whip it out”.
Jane Doe said she became disoriented and lost consciousness before eventually returning to her sorority house at about 5.45am on October 20. She reported the incident to police three weeks later.
During Cornell’s Title IX investigation, Ingalls claimed that he had himself been assaulted by Jane Doe. In an email, he accused the university of failing to inform him of his rights as a survivor and said the process was affected by “gender discrimination”.
All seven men have denied wrongdoing. Ingalls and Jonathan Newell were expelled, while Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes were suspended and later re-enrolled. Diego Sarabia, who had already graduated, was barred from campus.
Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar were found not responsible for sexual activity, and neither received expulsion or a suspension.
Students protesting Cornell’s handling of the allegations planned a seven-hour sit-in on Wednesday, with one hour dedicated to each of the accused men. The coalition gathered at Toni Morrison Dining Hall at 1.30pm local time and was due to remain there until 8.30pm.
