A Cornell fraternity member accused in a civil lawsuit has asked a New York judge to restrict public comments by the lawyer representing the woman identified as Jane Doe.
Diego Sarabia’s legal team claims attorney Thomas Giuffra has been trying the case in the media, rather than in court, through a series of interviews about the allegations and Cornell University’s handling of them.
Lawyers for Sarabia, one of seven men named in the lawsuit, describe Giuffra’s media activity as an “orchestrated campaign”. They point to claims that Cornell was involved in a cover-up, that evidence had been destroyed and that further men may have taken part in the alleged assault.
The filing also refers to comments in which Giuffra allegedly said fraternity members were more concerned with protecting themselves than securing justice.
Sarabia’s lawyers argue that the media appearances were planned before the lawsuit was filed and were not the result of a spontaneous rush of publicity. They say the continuing commentary risks influencing potential jurors before the case reaches trial.
The proposed gag order would apply to both sides. It would restrict public statements about the case and prevent the parties from disclosing private information or evidence that has not already been made public.
Jane Doe alleges that she was gang-raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. The claims have prompted national outrage and intense scrutiny of Cornell’s handling of the case.
